--+— 


& 


-+— -— 


1866-1867 


<^ 


MAYOR 


87b' 


MAVQF?,  1 366- 1 869- 


+- 


!!!     /'/^Ora  -ENG  CO.  N-  V-  I 


!!!     PHOTO  -SNO  CO.  N-  ■V- 

III 


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II j   p/tore.tf/a.ca.f^'f' 


NEW   BEDFORD. 


CHAPTER   I 


PAGES  OF  HISTORY. 


AY  31,  1602,  Bartholomew  Gosnold, 
with  a  small  party  of  Englishmen, 
sailed  from  the  little  island  of  Cuttv- 
hunk  to  the  main  land  bordering-  on 
the  ''Stately  sound"  which  he  called 
"Gosnold's  Hope,"  but  to  which  has 
persistently  clung  the  less  poetic  ap- 
pelladon  of  a  later  date,  "Buzzards 
Bay."  It  has  usually  been  taken  for 
granted  that  the  discoverers  sailed  up 
the  Acushnet  river,  and  landed  on 
the  shore  where  the  city  of  New  Bedford  is  now  located.  Of  this  there 
may  be  some  doubt,  for  the  narrative  of  one  of  the  partv  indicates 
that  the  harbors  found  by  Gosnold  and  his  companions  were  two 
which  are  west  of  the  Acushnet  river.  However  this  may  be,  it  is 
certain  that  they  were  not  far  from  this  locality,  and  the  descrip- 
tions given  by  the  English  explorers  mav  applv  as  well  to  the 
apj")e;irance  of  our  own  harbor  in  those  daws.  It  is  said  b\'  an  earh' 
historian  that  "the  stately  groves,  llowering  meadows  and  running 
brooks  afforded  delightful  entertainment  to  the  adventurers,"  and  one 
of  the  visitors,  writing  of  the  visit,  says  that  Gosnold  was  met  bv  a 
company  of  the  nati\es,  "men,  women    and  cIdUh-en,  who   with   all 


lo  ne;w  ueukord. 


coiirlcous  kindness  entertained  him,  giving  him  skins  of  wild  beasts, 
tohaeeo,  turtles,  iiemp,  artificial  strings  coloured,  and  such  like 
things  as  they  had  about  them."  We  may  be  sure  that  Gosnold 
traded  with  the  aborigines,  for  it  is  stated  by  the  same  authority 
that  when  the  ship  returned  on  the  homeward  voyage  to  England, 
slu-  was  laden  with  furs  and  other  productions  of  the  country,  among 
which  is  particularly  mentioned  sassafras  root,  then  held  in  great 
esteem  in  England  as  a  medicine.  It  was  the  original  intention 
that  the  expedition,  which  sailed  from  Falmouth,  England,  on  the 
26th  of  March,  1602,  should  proceed  to  Virginia  and  there  found 
a  colonv.  But  the  voyagers  chanced  upon  an  island  which  is  easily 
identified  as  Cuttyhunk,  one  of  a  small  group  on  the  southern  coast 
of  Massachusetts,  where  they  determined  to  settle.  That  they  were 
tickle,  and  not  adapted  to  pioneering,  is  shown  by  their  building 
a  rude  fort  or  house,  but  abandoning  the  enterprise  when  it  was  yet 
in  its  infancy.  On  the  17th  of  June  in  the  year  in  which  they 
reached  America  they  sailed  on  their  return  to  England. 

It  has  often  been  asserted  that  Gosnold  and  his  unstable  followers 
w^ere  not  the  first  European  visitors  to  our  shores.  With  some  rea- 
sonable confidence,  the  claim  is  made  that  they  were  anticipated  six 
centuries  by  the  adventurous  Northmen,  who  were  roving  dwellers 
on  the  New  England  coast  for  eight  years,  and  of  whom  but  little 
doubt  remains  that  they  often  visited  the  shores  of  Buzzards  Bay  and 
its  vicinity.  The  records  are  meagre,  but  they  are  believed  to  be 
trustworthv  and  to  warrant  the  conclusion  that  the  coastwise  explora- 
tions of  the  Northmen,  although  seemingly  unproductive  of  lasting  or 
valuable  results,  were  thorough.  Of  all  the  deductions  from  these 
records,  it  is  impossible  to  speak  so  confidently.  Ditfering  widely  as 
they  do,  some  of  them  must  be  imaginary,  and  all  are  undoubtedly 
to  a  great  extent  fanciful.  Yet  we  do  not  greatly  stretch  the  imag- 
ination if  we  conjecture  that  the  bold  northern  sailors  navigated  the 
waters  of  the  Acushnet  and  explored  the  tbrests  on  its  shores. 

Twenty  years  after  the  arrival  of  the  Mayflower  at  Ph'mouth, 
the  dwellers  in  that  colony  began  to  look  with  covetous  eyes  on  the 
pleasant  land  wdiich  had  delighted  Gosnold  and  his  companions. 
The  general  court  of  March,  1639,  passed  an  order  that  the  pur- 
chasers or  "old-comers"  should  make  choice  of  two  or  three 
plantations  for  themselves  and  their  heirs  by  the  December  court. 
The  selections  were  duly  made,  and  one  of  them,  known  as  "the 


12  NKW   HEDFORT). 

sc'coiul  place,"  included  tiie  locality  which  is  now  the  city  of  New 
I^edford.  Hitt'not  until  1652  was  the  right  acquired  by  purchase 
jioin  tin-  Indians.  On  the  29th  of  November,  1652,  a  conveyance 
was  made  by  Wasamequin,  an  Indian  chief,  and  Wamsutta,  his  son, 
of  the  territory  now  included  in  the  city  of  New  Bedford  and  the 
neighboring  towns  of  Fairhaven,  Acushnet,  Dartmouth,  and  West- 
port.  For  this  large  tract  of  land,  the  consideration  was  as  follows  : 
"Thirty  yards  of  cloth,  eight  moose-skins,  fifteen  axes,  fifteen  hoes, 
fifteen  pair  of  breeches,  eight  blankets,  two  kettles,  one  cloak,  £2  in 
wampan,  eight  pair  stockings,  eight  pair  of  shoes,  one  iron  pot,  and 
ten  shillings  in  another  commoditie."  It  has  been  supposed  that 
this  other  "commoditie"  meant  rum  and  tobacco.  On  the  con- 
trary, it  is  urged  that  the  purchasers  of  this  land  were  not  afraid  to 
say  rum  when  they  meant  rum,  and  that  the  consideration  is  as  likely 
to  have  been  something  else  as  liquor.  But  this  aside,  the  buyers  of 
the  territor}^  secured  a  very  fair  bargain  for  their  outlay.  Wamsutta 
and  his  lather  Wasamequin,  or  Massasoit,  the  name  by  which  he  is 
better  known,  agreed  to  remove  all  the  Indians  from  the  tract  in  a 
year.  This  was  beyond  their  power,  and  the  Indians  remained  in 
partial  possession  for  many  years. 

Settlers  had  found  their  way  to  the  territory  before  the  purchase. 
If  tradition  can  be  relied  upon,  Ralph  Russell,  his  son  John,  and 
Anthony  Slocum  w-ere  the  first  white  men  to  set  up  homes  in  this 
vicinitv.  They  are  said  to  have  come  from  Taunton  in  1650,  and  to 
have  established  an  iron  forge  at  Russell's  Mills,  in  what  is  now  the 
town  of  Dartmouth.  Neither  of  them  was  an  original  proprietor, 
but  on  the  9th  of  March,  1664,  John  Russell  purchased  the  thirty- 
fourth  part  or  share  of  Capt.  Miles  Standish.  John  Cooke,  who 
came  to  Acushnet  at  about  the  time  the  Russells  came  to  Russell's 
Mills,  was  an  original  proprietor,  and  he  was  a  son  of  Francis  Cooke, 
a  Mayflower  Pilgrim.  He  and  John  Russell  were  the  leading  men 
in  the  new  town  of  Dartmouth,  and  for  the  first  twenty  years  of  its 
existence  were  its  only  representatives  in  the  Old  Colony  court  at 
Plymouth . 

It  is  evident,  from  a  study  of  the  records,  that  many  of  the 
pioneer  settlers  in  this  region  came  here  for  the  same  reason  that  the 
Pilgrims  came  to  Plymouth.  Many  of  them  were  Friends  or  Bap- 
tists, wdio  found  life  in  the  Plymouth  colony  hard  to  bear  because 
they  were  not  of  its  dominant  religious  faith.     John  Cooke,  before 


PAGES    OF    HISTORY.  13 


alluded  to,  was  a  Baptist  preacher,  and  was  highl}^  honored  by  his 
townsmen,  holding  various  offices  of  trust  for  many  years.  But  the 
general  court  saw  lit  to  fine  him  ten  shillings  "for  breaking  the  Sab- 
bath by  unnecessary  travelling  thereon."  It  has  been  surmised, 
and  not  unreasonably,  that  he  was  travelling  to  fulfill  an  appointment 
to  preach. 

The  founders  of  Plymouth  colony  made  one  step  toward  the  reali- 
zation of  perfect  religious  liberty.  The  founders  of  the  town  of 
Dartmouth  made  another,  which  was  not  less  important.  We  can  do 
no  better  in  this  connection  than  to  quote  the  admirable  statement 
made  by  Hon.  William  W.  Crapo  in  his  oration  at  the  Dartmouth 
centennial,  Sept.  14th,  1864.      He  said  : 

"I  have  said  our  fathers  were  Puritans.  They  were  more  than  that  —  they  were 
the  Protestants  of  tlie  Puritans.  They  were  in  sjmpathy  witli  the  established  gov- 
ernment at  Plymoutli  in  evei-y  tiling  except  the  one  matter  of  compulsorj^  taxation 
for  religious  purposes.  Full}^  believing  in  freedom  of  conscience,  they  had  early 
conceived  a  strong  aversion  to  the  arbitrary  imposition  of  taxes  by  the  civil  power 
for  the  support  of  a  ministry  with  which  they  were  not  in  unison  and  over  which 
they  had  no  control.  The  early  records  of  tlie  town,  imperfect  and  fragmentary  as 
they  are,  in  connection  with  the  histoiy  of  the  colony,  plainly  tell  us  how  earnestly 
and  even  bitterly  this  controversy  was  waged,  and  for  how  many  years  it  was  the 
source  of  discord  and  of  jjersecution.  The  Plymouth  colony  court  annually  appor- 
tioned to  the  town  a  tax  for  the  support  of  ministers,  in  addition  to  the  province 
tax,  but  the  Baptists  and  Quakers  of  Dartmouth  were  inflexible  in  their  resistance  to 
it,  and  while  the  province  rates  were  fjiitbfullj'  met,  those  for  the  maintenance  of 
ministers  were  refused.  It  also  troubled  our  good  rulers  at  Plymouth  that  our 
fathers  were  so  negligent  in  providing  stated  preaching  according  to  the  established 
Puritan  faith." 

The  authorities  at  Plymouth  were  disposed  to  force  the  refrac- 
tory Baptists  and  Quakers  into  compliance.  In  1674,  the  court 
passed  an  order  in  which  it  took  into  "serious  consideration  the 
tremendous  dispensation  of  God  towards  the  people  of  Dartmouth  in 
suffering  the  barbarous  heathen  to  spoil  and  destroy  most  of  their 
habitations,"  expressing  the  fear  that  the  carelessness  to  obtain  and 
attend  unto  the  ministry  of  the  word  of  God  "may  have  been  a 
provocation  of  God  thus  to  chastise  their  contempt  of  his  gospel, 
which  we  earnestly  desire  the  people  of  that  phice  mav  seriously 
consider  of,  lay  to  heart  and  be  humbled  for,  with  a  solicitous  en- 
deavor after  a  reformation  thereof,  by  a  vigorous  putting  forth  to 
obtain  an  able,  faithful  dispenser  of  the  word  of  God  amongst  them, 
and  to  encourage  him  therein  :  the  neglect  whereof  this  court,  as 
they  must  and,  God  willing.  the\-  will  not  permit  for  the  future." 


14 


NEW    P.KDFORD. 


This  (lid  not  iVighk-n  the  people  of  Dartmouth,  whose  ideas  of 
religious  duty  were  quite  as  inflexible  as  those  of  the  members  of 
the  Plymouth  court.  They  would  worship  God,  but  they  would  do  it 
in  their  own  way,  and  the}'  would  contribute  not  a  penny  to  the  sup- 
port of  a  ministry  of  which  they  did  not  fully  approve.  The 
struggle  between  the  town  and  the  court  lasted  over  fifty  years,  but 
the  tovt^n  yielded  never  a  grain.  It  reached  a  culmination  in  1724. 
In  1722,  the  assembly  of  Massachusetts  passed  an  act  to  raise  one 
hundred  pounds  in  the  town  of  Dartmouth,  and  seventy-two  pounds 
eleven  shillings  in  the  adjoining  town  of  Tiverton  (then  a  part  of 
Massachusetts)  for  the  support  of  ministers  whose  selection  was 
subject  to  the  approval  of  the  general  court.  The  two  towns  were 
the  only  ones  in  the  province  that  had  not  received  any  Presbyterian 
ministers,  and  the  action  of  the  general  court  was  to  force  them  into 
line  with  the  rest.  It  was  provided  that  the  sum  assessed  should  be 
included  in  the  province  tax,  and  afterwards  be  drawn  out  of  the 
treasur}'.  The  people  of  Dartmouth  had  a  town  meeting  on  the  26th 
of  November,  1722,  and  voted  not  to  pay  the  money,  but  to  raise 
seven  hundred  pounds  to  protect  the  selectmen  trom  the  conse- 
quences of  the  refusal  and  to  defray  the  expenses  of  an  appeal  to  the 
king.  Only  five  taxpayers  protested  against  this  appropriation, 
which  was  a  large  one  for  those  days,  and  it  is  worthy  of  note,  as 
showing  the  earnestness  of  the  people,  that  it  was  met  by  the  tax  of 
that  year,  and  not  left  to  posterity  to  pay,  on  the  ground  that  future 
generations  would  reap  the  benefit  and  must  therefore  foot  the  bills. 
The  selectmen  refused  to  assess  the  tax  which  had  been  ordered  b}' 
the  assembly.  They  were  imprisoned  in  Bristol  jail  tor  eighteen 
months,  but  the  appeal  to  the  king  resulted  in  their  release  and  the 
order  that  the  obnoxious  taxes  be  remitted.  Thus  ended  a  struggle 
for  religious  libert}'  the  importance  of  which  can  hardly  be  over- 
estimated. On  both  sides  it  was  waged  by  patriotic  and  conscien- 
tious men,  but  it  must  ever  be  occasion  for  honest  pride  to  the 
dwellers  in  Dartmouth  and  her  daughter  municipalities  that  the 
pioneers  within  her  borders  stood  firmly  and  successfully  for  the 
principle  of  complete  independence  of  the  Christian  church  from  the 
domination  or  guidance  of  the  state. 

King  Philip's  war  was  the  occasion  of  much  distress  to  the  inhab- 
itants of  this  region.  This  is  not  the  place  to  enter  into  an  extended 
account    of  that    last  struggle  of  the  Indians  of  southeastern  New 


PAGES    OF    HISTORY.  1 7 

England  to  retain  possession  of  their  hunting  grounds.  While  it 
lasted,  it  was  bitter  and  relentless.  It  extended  over  a  considerable 
part  of  eastern  Massachusetts,  but  it  is  recorded  that  no  other  por- 
tion of  the  territory  was  so  devastated  as  that  on  which  New  Bedford 
stands.  One  historian  of  the  time  wrote  that  Dartmouth's  "  distresses 
required  succour,  great  part  of  the  town  being  laid  desolate  and  many 
of  the  inhabitants  killed  ;  the  most  of  Plymouth  forces  were  ordered 
thither."  Tradition  says  that  the  dwelling  of  every  white  person 
within  the  limits  of  the  town  was  destroyed.  However,  after  the 
death  of  Philip  and  the  dispersion  of  his  followers,  the  town  appears 
to  have  quickly  recovered. 

After  the  close  of  King  Philip's  war,  the  settlers  by  the  Appone- 
cansett  turned  their  attention  to  the  shores  of  the  Acushnet.  Some 
time  prior  to  1711,  Joseph  Russell,  son  of  the  John  Russell  who 
established  the  iron  forge  at  Russell's  Mills,  came  here  and  resided 
at  what  is  now  the  corner  of  County  and  South  streets.  Joseph 
Russell,  Jr.,  who  was  born  at  the  garrison  in  Apponegansett  in  the 
troublous  times  of  Indian  warfare,  also  came  to  live  near  his  father. 
The  third  Joseph  in  the  line  was  probably  born  within  the  limits  of 
the  present  city,  and  to  him  is  generally  credited  the  honor  of  being 
its  founder.  He  was  a  man  of  enterprise  and  of  far-seeing  business 
ability.  He  established  the  whale-fishery  at  this  port,  and  he  built 
the  first  sperm  oil  factory  located  here.  He  also  was  an  importer  of 
foreign  goods,  and  carried  on  a  flourishing  and  extensive  business, 
for  those  da3's,  until  it  was  ruined  by  the  Revolutionary  War. 

The  village  remained  an  agricultural  community  for  many 
years.  Two  or  three  sloops,  indeed,  fitted  lor  the  whale-fishery,  and 
there  was  a  "try-house"  near  the  shore.  Yet  the  site  of  the  present 
city  was  covered  by  a  forest,  and  the  farm  houses  were  at  some  dis- 
tance from  the  river.  Not  until  almost  fifty  years  had  passed  from 
the  time  when  the  first  Joseph  Russell  located  here  were  any  signs 
apparent  of  the  future  commercial  and  industrial  life  of  the  towai. 
In  1760,  John  Loudon,  a  caulker,  came  here  from  Pembroke  and 
established  himself  as  a  shipbuilder.  Then  came  Benjamin  Taber, 
a  boatbuilder  and  blockmaker ;  John  Alden,  a  house  carpenter; 
Barzillai  Myrick,  a  ship  carpenter;  Elnathan  Sampson,  a  black- 
smith ;  and  Gideon  Mosher,  a  mechanic,  but  of  what  trade  it  is  not 
stated.  These  men,  and  others  like  them,  were  the  pioneers  of  New 
Bedford's  industries,  and  we  have  abundant  reason  to  believe  that  they 


ly  NEW    HEOFORl). 


worked  wiscl}-  and  well.  Not  one  of  them  was  rich,  even  when 
iud'^ed  hv  the  limited  standards  of  their  day,  but  they  had  stout 
hearts  and  willino-  hands  and  so  achieved  a  measurable  share  oi 
success. 

In  1765,  Joseph  Rotch  came  to  the  village  from  Nantucket.  He 
had  selected  the  harbor  as  well  adapted  to  the  prosecution  of  the 
whale-tishery,  and  having  means  and  enterprise  he  embarked  in 
business  with  vigor,  reaping  much  success.  His  settlement  here 
gave  to  the  place  a  great  impetus,  ensuring  its  growth  and  pros- 
perity. 

Up  to  this  time  the  village  had  no  name  of  its  own.  That  part 
of  Dartmouth  which  afterwards  became  New  Bedford  was  then 
known  as  the  Acushena  territory.  But  it  had  now  become  of  suf- 
ficient importance  to  make  a  distinctive  name  a  necessity.  Ac- 
cordingly, upon  a  public  occasion,  Joseph  Rotch  suggested,  and 
the  suggestion  was  adopted,  that  the  name  should  be  "Bedford,"  in 
honor  of  Joseph  Russell,  who  bore  the  family  name  of  the  Duke  of 
Bedford.  This,  it  must  be  remembered,  was  in  the  "Old  Colony 
days,"  when  New  England  was  under  the  rule  of  the  king,  and  the 
compliment  was  probably  then  much  more  apparent  than  it  is  now. 

Prosperity  came  to  the  thrifty  and  industrious  village.  Its 
population  grew  and  its  enterprises  flourished.  The  whaling  fleet 
increased,  and  Bedford  seemed  fairly  launched  on  a  fortunate  career. 
The  war  of  the  Revolution  destroyed  every  pleasing  anticipation  in 
which  the  people  had  indulged.  For  the  time,  the  whaling  industry 
was  ruined,  while  the  young  merchants  saw  not  only  their  pro- 
spective gains  cut  oft\  but  their  present  prosperity  vanish.  Some  of 
the  inhabitants  engaged  in  privateering,  but  as  most  of  the  business 
men  were  Quakers  they  could  not  conscientiously  do  this.  The 
peaceful  non-resistants,  however,  shared  in  the  punishment  inflicted 
upon  the  place  by  a  large  force  from  the  British  army.  The  harbor 
had  become  a  noted  rendezvous  for  privateers,  which  brought  here 
their  prizes  and  unloaded  their  cargoes.  In  retaliation,  Maj.-Gen. 
Grev,  under  orders  from  Sir  Henry  Clinton,  made  a  raid  on  the 
village  on  the  5th  and  6th  of  September,  1778,  destroying  propert}' 
to  the  value  of  £96,980,  and  inflicting  a  crushing  blow  on  the  settle- 
ment. The  storv  has  been  well  and  exhaustively  told  elsewhere, 
and  only  the  briefest  summary  of  it  need  be  given  here.  On  the 
afternoon  of  September  5th,  the  British  frigate  Carysfort  and  several 


PAGES    OF    HISTORY.  I9 


transports  appeared  in  the  bay,  with  between  four  thousand  and  five 
thousand  troops.  These  were  landed  at  Clark's  Cove,  to  avoid  pass- 
ing a  fort  which  guarded  the  mouth  of  Acushnet  river.  The  troops 
marched  up  the  Count}^  road  to  the  village,  where  they  burned 
thirty-^ur  vessels,  ten  dwelling  houses,  and  about  twenty-five  other 
buildings,  including  a  rope  walk  and  a  distiller}-.  While  the  troops 
were  marching  up  the  County  road,  they  fired  upon  and  killed 
Abraham  Russell,  Thomas  Cook,  and  Diah  Traftbrd.  This  was  the 
first  blood  shed  in  this  neighborhood  in  the  Revolution.  The  British 
soldiery  marched  to  the  head  of  the  river,  through  what  is  now 
Acushnet,  and  down  on  the  Fairhaven  side,  re-embarking  on  their 
vessels  at  Sconticut  Neck. 

When  peace  came,  the  people  went  bravely  at  work  to  re- 
build their  shattered  fortunes.  How  well  they  succeeded  is  told  in 
other  chapters  of  this  volume. 

After  the  war  was  over,  the  village  rapidly  grew,  and  in  a  few 
years  it  was  ready  to  set  up  for  itself  as  an  independent  municipality. 
In  1787,  it  was  severed  from  the  old  township  of  Dartmouth,  and  for 
the  first  time  became  New  Bedford.  The  prefix  "New"  was 
adopted  to  distinguish  the  town  from  another  Bedford,  in  another 
part  of  the  State.  The  division  of  the  old  town  of  Dartmouth  was 
strenuously  opposed,  not  only  by  all  the  inhabitants  of  that  part 
of  the  town  which  would  still  remain  as  Dartmouth,  but  by  many 
who  lived  in  the  territory  of  Bedford.  Some  of  these  latter  remon- 
strants, in  a  paper  which  is  still  on  file  among  the  archives  of  the 
Secretary  of  State  of  Massachusetts,  assert  that  they  "have  been 
particularly  happy  in  contemplating  the  idea  of  our  union  with  and 
conjunction  to  a  town  of  superior  consequence,  holding  rank  and 
place  among  the  principal  and  most  respectable  towns  in  this  Com- 
monwealth." This  is  one  of  the  reasons  they  assign  for  opposing 
the  division,  while  the  other  is  that  "at  a  time  of  general  distress, 
when  the  burdens  of  taxation  are  heavy  upon  us,  we  apprehend  that 
the  additional  expense  of  a  representative  and  a  whole  set  of  town 
officers,  a  grammar  school  master  and  the  apparatus  of  public 
buildings  will  be  more  than  ten  times  sufficient  to  outweigh  every 
advantageous  consideration."  But  such  arguments  as  these  were 
seen  to  be  of  little  weight  in  the  face  of  the  evident  necessity  tor  a 
division,  and  on  the  23d  of  February,  1787,  the  bill  incorporating 
the  town   of  New  Bedford  becanu'  a  law.      The  new  town  included. 


20 


NEW    BEDFORD. 


beside  llu'  New  Becirord  of  the  present  day,  what  is  now  Fairhaven 
and  Aciishnet.  The  territory  ol"  the  two  hitter  towns  was  set  off  in 
1812,  the  division  being  the  result  of  irreconcilable  political  views 
between  the  dwellers  on  the  opposite  sides  of  the  Acushnet  river. 
Many  years  after,  Fairhaven  was  divided,  and  the  town  of  Acushnet 
was  carved  from  its  north  end.  At  intervals  slight  changes  have 
been  made  in  the  town  and  city  lines,  but  they  remain  today  substan- 
tially as  first  drawn. 

In  1847,  New  Bedford  was  incorporated  as  a  city.  The  conduct 
of  its  affairs  was  entrusted  to  a  city  council,  consisting  of  a  mayor 
and  six  aldermen,  and  a  common  council  of  four  members  from  each 
of  the  six  wards.  A  school  committee  of  three  members  from  each 
ward  was  also  instituted,  with  a  board  of  overseers  of  the  poor  and 
other  necessary  officials.  In  substance,  the  government  of  the  city 
now  remains  as  at  first,  though  there  have  been  some  changes  in 
detail.  The  list  of  mayors  and  the  years  in  which  the}'  served  the 
city  is  as  follows  : 


1847-51,  Abraham  II.  Howlanil. 

1852,  William  J.  Hotch. 

1853-54,  Rodney  French. 

1855-50,  George  Tlowlaml,  Jr. 

1857-58,*  Georcfe  II.  Dunbar. 

1850,  Willard  Nye. 

1860-61,  and  to  Sept.  20,  1802,  Isaac  C. 
Taber. 

1862,  from  Sept.  29;  1863-65,  George 
Howland,  Jr. 

1866-67,  John  H.  Perry. 


1868-69,  Andrew  G.  Pierce. 
1870-72,  George  B.  Richmond. 

1873,  George  H.  Dunbar. 

1874,  George  B.  Richmond. 
1875-76,  Abraham  H.  Howland,  Jr. 

1877,  Alanson  Borden. 

1878,  George  B.  Richmond. 
1879-80,  W' illiam  'J'.  Soule. 
1881-84,  George  Wilson. 
1885-88,  Morgan  Rotch. 


The  growth  of  the  population  of  New  Bedford  is  exhibited  in 
the  following  table,  compiled  from  the  census  reports.  It  gives  also 
the  population  of  the  towns  which  have  been  cut  oft'  from  it. 


Fairhaven. 


Acushnet. 


Year.  New  Bedford. 

1700 3.313 

1800 4,361 

1810 5,6.51 

1820 3,947 2,733 

1830 7.,592 3,034 

1840 12,087 3.951 

18.i0 16,443 4,304 

18.55 20,380  .....    ....  4,693 

1860 22,:500 3,118 1,387 

1865 20,8.53 2,547 1,251 

1870 21,320 •    ■    .2,626 1.132 

1875 25,805 2,768 1,059 

1880 26,845 2,875 1,105 

1885 33,393 2,880 1,071 


*The  municipal  year  was  changed,  in  1857,  and  Mayor  Dunbar's  first  term  was  only  nine  months. 


■-  '>^,  •^> 


^•-s---mya.iua-^Xi.i!UaK3aUKi,t.XS':M  I 


PAGES    OF    HISTORY.  23 

The  following  tabular  statement,  compiled  tVom  the  records  of 
the  assessors  of  taxes,  shows  the  progress  of  New  Bedford  in  wealth 
since  1850.  The  first  column  gives  the  number  of  poll  taxes  as- 
sessed in  each  of  the  years  indicated.  The  other  columns  explain 
themselves. 

Year.  Polls.  Real  Estate.  Personal  Estate.  Total  Valuation. 


18.50 
18.5.5 
1860 
186.5 
1870 
1875 
1880 
1885 
1888 


.  3,627 $18,632,600 

.  4,32.5 25.597,100 

.  5,317  ....  $9,157,200  ....  $13,9.55,700  ....     23,112,900 

.  1,578  ....    8,161,800  ....     12,171,800  ....     20,333.600 

5,251  ....    8,774,500  ....    14,221,514  ....    22,996,014 


6,226  ....  11,946,600  ....  14,428,674  .    .        .  26,375,274 

7.028  ....  13,1.38,400  ....  13,137,519  ....  26,275,919 

8.349  ....  16,293,800  ....  15,104,090  ....  31,397,890 

9,424  ....  18,023,700  ....  15,430,647  ....  33.454,347 


This  brief  sketch  of  the  history  of  New  Bedford  may  fittingly 
close  with  a  reference  to  the  record  of  New  Bedford  in  the  Civil  War. 
In  few  cities  in  the  country  was  a  deeper  interest  felt  in  the  conflict, 
and  scarcely  one  did  more  in  proportion  to  its  means  and  its  popula- 
tion to  uphold  the  cause  of  the  Union.  New  Bedford  men  were 
among  the  first  to  respond  to  the  call  for  troops,  and  New  Bedford 
soldiers  and  sailors  faithfully  helped  fight  the  battles  of  freedom  until 
the  war  had  ended.  When  the  first  call  was  made,  the  City  Guards, 
then  included  in  the  Third  Regiment,  responded  at  once,  leaving 
New  Bedford  on  the  morning  of  April  16,  1861,  two  days  after  Major 
Anderson  had  evacuated  Fort  Sumter.  These  men  were  ordered 
into  service  for  only  three  months,  but  most  of  them  afterwards 
re-enlisted  and  served  through  the  war.  When  the  subsequent  calls 
were  made,  other  companies  were  organized,  and  including  these, 
the  men  who  enlisted  in  regiments  mainly  recruited  in  other  parts  of 
the  State,  and  men  who  enlisted  in  the  navy.  New  Bedford  furnished 
about  thirty-two  hundred  men  for  the  war,  which  was  a  surplus  of 
eleven  hundred  and  ten  men  over  the  demands  made  upon  her.  It 
gave  one  hundred  and  twenty  officers  to  the  military  service,  and  it 
furnished  many  officers  to  the  navy.  Its  city  government  appro- 
priated and  expended  on  account  of  the  war,  $177,000.  This 
was  e.xclusive  of  money  expended  for  aid  to  families  of  volunteers, 
and  afterwards  refunded  b}'  the  Commonwealth,  amounting  to 
$125,495.85. 

This  is  a  remarkabk'  sliowing  for  a  city  as  small  as  New  Bed- 
ford was  tlien,  and  whose  chief  indu.strv  received  a  tremendous  blow 


24 


NKW    BEDFORD. 


from  the  war.  But  we  think  it  was  not  so  remarkable  as  the  work 
of  the  women  of  New  Bedford  in  their  appropriate  way  in  aid  of  the 
war  for  the  Union.  Two  days  after  the  first  men  left  New  Bedford 
for  southern  batdefields,  the  women  of  the  city  had  a  meeting  and 
organized  for  the  work.  How  well  they  succeeded  is  shown  by  the 
record  of  their  contributions  for  the  relief  and  comfort  of  the  soldiers. 
The  Ladies'  Soldiers'  Relief  Society  gave  upwards  of  $20,000  in 
money  ;  in  cotton  cloth  and  flannel,  $4000 ;  and  in  hospital  stores, 
$6000.  The  Society  for  the  Comfort  and  Relief  of  our  Soldiers  in 
Hospitals  gave  an  immense  amount  of  clothing  and  hospital  stores, 
aggregating  man}^  thousand  dollars  in  value. 


CHAPTER  II 


THE  WHALE-FISHERY. 


HE  history  of  the  New  Enghind  whale- 
fishery  is  so  interwoven  with  the  his- 
tory of  New  Bedford  durino-  the  last 
century,"  said  Hon.  William  W. 
Crapo,  in  an  oration  delivered  at  the 
municipal  celebration  of  the  centen- 
nial of  national  independence,  ''that 
they  cannot  be  separated  ;  and  no 
record  of  the  growth  and  business  of 
our  town  and  city  can  be  complete 
without  it.  Our  wealth,  our  population,  and  our  progress  have  been 
the  fruits  of  this  industry  ;  and  our  position  and  fame  among  the 
cities  of  the  world  is  due  to  its  successful  prosecution." 

The  thriving  manufacturing  city  of  New  Bedford  of  1888  is 
the  outgrowth  of  a  settlement  of  fishermen, —  fishermen  on  a  large 
scale, —  who  drew  to  them  the  mechanics  and  traders  needed  to  sup- 
ply their  wants  and  formed  the  nucleus  of  the  citv  of  today.  New 
Bedford's  wealth  was  brought  from  the  depths  of  the  ocean  by  her 
sons,  who  braved  every  danger,  accepted  every  hazard,  and  fear- 
lessly entered  unknown  regions  in  pursuit  of  their  prev.  Gathered 
from  the  ocean,  at  her  own  peril,  New  Bedford's  wealth  impoverished 
no  other's  treasury,  and  for  the  distinction  of  being  the  wealthiest  city 
of  her  size  in  the  Union  she  owes  no  debt  save  to  her  own  sons. 
The  Whaling  City  today,  as  one  hundred  years  ago,  is  the  home  of 
the  great  industry.  First  at  the  flood  tide,  she  is  still  first  at  the  ebb- 
ing.    The  discovery  of  petroleum  with  the  advent  of  earth  oils  was  a 


26  NEW    BEDFORD. 


severe  blow  to  the  whale-fishery.  With  keen  foresight  the  old  New 
Bedford  whalemen  pierced  the  future's  veil,  discerning  the  inevitable 
decline  of  the  whale-fishery.  Fresh  fields  were  sought  for  invest- 
ment, and  the  capital  for  mills,  factories,  and  founderies  w^as  at  once 
forthcoming.  The  old  whaling  port  w\as  transformed  into  a  bustling 
work-shop  and  her  future  was  assured.  Yet  toda}^  the  whaling  is 
by  no  means  the  least  important  of  her  industries,  for  in  it  she  leads 
the  world,  as  she  w^ill  while  a  whale  remains  in  the  deep.  The 
change  was  but  a  manifestation  of  the  enterprise  and  progress  which 
characterize  the  New  Bedford  whale-fishermen. 

This  whale-fishery,  in  the  prosecution  of  which  New  Bedford 
surpassed  all  the  world  and  so  greatly  and  rapidly  increased  her 
wealth,  is  of  very  ancient  origin,  dating  back  to  the  dajs  of  Alexander 
the  Great.  The  Dutch  were  engaged  in  the  pursuit  and  Northmen 
sought  the  great  fish  before  the  voyages  of  Columbus.  In  the  New 
World  the  whale-fishery  is  contemporary  with  the  settlement  of  New 
York  and  the  New  England  colonies.  It  was  first  established  along 
the  shores  of  Long  Island  as  early  as  1640.  Some  thirty  years  after, 
came  the  first  whaling  expedition  from  Nantucket,  which  w^as  under- 
taken by  some  of  the  original  purchasers  of  the  island.  A  whale 
came  into  the  harbor  and  continued  there  three  days.  The  curiosity 
of  the  villagers  was  excited,  and,  determined  to  prevent  his  escape, 
they  invented  and  wrought  a  harpoon  with  which  they  attacked  and 
killed  the  monster.  This  encouraged  them  to  make  whaling  a  per- 
manent business,  as  whales  were  numerous  about  the  shores,  and  the 
pursuit  was  soon  extensively  carried  on  in  small  boats.  In  1672 
the  islanders,  eager  for  further  knowledge,  sent  to  the  main  land  for 
whalers  from  Cape  Cod  and  Easthampton,  L.  I.,  to  instruct  them  in 
the  art.  By  17 15  the  people  of  Nantucket  were  pursuing  the  w'hales 
upon  the  ocean  in  small  sloops  and  schooners,  making  brief  vo3"ages, 
bringing  home  the  blubber  and  trying  out  the  oil  on  the  shore.  This 
was  in  the  primitive  days  of  whaling. 

In  the  vicinity  of  New  Bedford  whaling  probably  commenced 
about  1760.  To  Joseph  Russell,  the  founder  of  the  city,  is  attributed 
the  lienor  of  being  the  pioneer  of  the  whale-fishery,  he  having  been 
engaged  in  the  business  as  early  as  1755.  His  calling  demanded  the 
use  of  boats,  consequently  the  earliest  settlers  of  the  town  were 
industrious  and  enterprising  mechanics  and  the  earliest  settlement 
was  of  an  industrial  more  than  an  agricultural  character.     In  1765, 


THE    WHALE-FISHERY.  29 

Joseph  Rotch,  of  Nantucket,  an  enterprising  merchant  of  experience 
and  knowledge,  selected  New  Bedford  harbor  as  eligible  and  advan- 
tageous for  the  prosecution  of  the  whale-fishery  and  brought  to  the 
village  an  acquisition  of  capital  which  had  been  needed  to  stimulate 
the  industry.  Mr.  Rotch  purchased  land,  built  ships  and  sent  them  out. 
New  Bedford  brains  designed  the  vessels  and  planned  their  voyages. 
New  Bedford  hands  built  them  and  then  n">anned  them  on  the  sea. 
Thus  were  born  many  allied  industries  on  the  land,  and  refineries 
and  candle  factories,  with  other  important  branches  of  business,  were 
established.  In  the  year  of  Mr.  Rotch's  arrival  four  sloops,  from  40 
to  60  tons  burden,  were  engaged  in  the  business.  These  small  ves- 
sels usually  sailed  in  pairs  and  so  long  as  they  kept  company  the 
blubber  of  the  captured  whales  was  divided  equally  among  them. 
The  voyages  were  gradually  extended  and,  in  the  ten  years  follow- 
ing, the  whaling  fleet  was  increased  from  two  or  three  small  vessels 
to  fifty  of  larger  size.  In  1774  New  Bedford  sent  vessels  to  the 
Falkland  Islands,  and  it  was  the  enterprise  and  daring  of  those 
whalemen  that  inspired  Edmund  Burke's  eloquent  tribute  to  the 
industry'  in  the  House  of  Commons.  The  War  of  the  Revolution 
checked  the  growth  of  the  industr}'  and  almost  stamped  out  the  busi- 
ness. Joseph  Russell  lost  most  of  his  property  and  the  same  may 
be  said  of  all  whose  interests  were  on  the  sea.  Mr.  Rotch  left  the 
town  and  remained  away  during  the  war.  Long  before  this,  New 
Bedford  had  outstripped  all  competitors  in  the  industr\-  and  her  ships 
were  scattered  throughout  the  world  in  every  navicrable  water. 

"It  is  a  remarkable  coincidence,"  commented  lion.  W.  W. 
Crapo  in  his  centennial  address,  "that  the  war  which  had  been  pre- 
cipitated in  the  destruction  of  tea  thrown  overboard  from  the  Dart- 
mouth, a  ship  owned  by  Francis  Rotch  of  the  village  of  Bedford, 
should  have  associated  with  its  close  the  advent  in  English  waters  of 
the  ship  Bedford  as  the  first  vessel  floating  the  American  flag  in  any 
British  port."'  The  Bedford  sailed  from  New  Bedford  harbor  before 
the  war. 

Many  difficulties  were  found  after  the  war  in  replacing  the  \es- 
sels  which  had  been  burned  by  the  British  or  fallen  into  disuse  and 
decay.  The  English  government  placed  a  heavy  alien  duty  on  oil 
with  the  object  of  tbrcing  the  industr\'  to  lier  o\\  n  harbors.  For  a 
time  Britain  was  successful  in  this,  but  the  persistenc}'  and  persua- 
siveness of  New  Bedford's  citizens  obtained  the  privilege  of  sending 


30 


NKVV    BEDFORD. 


oil  to  ports  of  other  countries  free  of  duty.  The  work  of  developing 
the  industry  early  in  the  nineteenth  century  was  slow  and  difficult, 
with  the  many  hazards  encountered  on  the  sea  and  the  opposition  of 
foreign  powers  on  the  land.      No  marked  improvement  was  manifest 

until  after  the  close  of  the  war 
of  1812.  During  that  war  ships 
were  captured  and  destroyed 
or  used  as  transports  by  the 
British.  After  its  termination 
the  \\  hale-fishery  as  prosecuted 


in  New  Bedford   advanced 

with  great  rapidity  and  sue-  5| 

cess.      The  city  continued 

to    lead   all  other  ports  in 

the     whaling    interests. 

From  the  year  1820    until 

the  year  1857  the  city's  prosperity  and  accumulation  of  wealth  were 

uninterrupted.     The  whaling  industry  reached  its    highest  point  in 

capital,  in  vessels,  and  in  tonnage  in  1857.      Its  fleet  of  329  ships  and 


THE    WHALE-FISHERY.  3I 


whaling  outfits  was  worth  more  than  twelve  millions  of  dollars  and 
required  more  than  ten  thousand  seamen.  The  largest  importations 
of  oil  and  bone  were  in  185 1  and  1853.  The  quantities  of  each  with 
the  prices  realized  from  their  sale  were  as  follows  : 

1851. 

99,591  barrels  sperm  oil,  at  $1.27i  per  gallon $3,991,980.75 

328,483  barrels  whale  oil,  at      A^  per  gallon 4,682,114.56 

3,966,500  pounds  bone,  at  .34^  per  pound 1,368,442..50 

$10,042,.537.81 

1853- 

103,077  barrels  sperm  oil,  at  .$1.24|  per  gallon $4,050,539.56 

260,114  barrels  whale  oil,  at      .58|  per  gallon 4,762,524.77 

5,652,300  pounds  bone,  at  .34^  per  pound 1,950,043.50 

§10,763,107.83 

The  depredations  of  rebel  cruisers  at  the  opening  of  the  Civil 
War  carried  dismay  into  our  whaling  fleets  as  early  as  1862,  but  the 
great  loss  occurred  in  June,  1865,  when  the  Shenandoah  entered  into 
Behring  strait  and  captured  and  burned  twenty-five  ships,  most  of 
them  of  large  size,  and  bonded  four  others  for  the  purpose  of  furnish- 
ing transportation.  Fiftv  whaling  vessels  were  captured  by  the  rebel 
cruisers,  of  which  forty-six  with  outfits  and  cargoes  were  burned.  Of 
this  number  twenty-eight  sailed  from  and  were  owned  in  New  Bedford. 
The  loss  of  ships  and  outfits  belonging  here  exceeded  one  million 
of  dollars,  and  of  oil  and  bone  on  board,  $400,000.  Many  ships  were 
sold  durino;  the  war  or  were  transferred  to  the  merchant  service. 
Some  in  the  Pacific  ocean  were  put  under  the  Hawaiian  flag.  Of 
those  sold  forty  w^ere  purchased  by  the  United  States  and  tormed  the 
larger  portion  of  the  two  famous  stone  fleets  which  in  1861  were  sunk 
ofl'  the  harbors  of  Charleston  and  Savannah  to  prevent  the  entrance 
of  blockade  runners  and  the  ingress  and  egress  of  privateers.  Of 
these  vessels  the  greater  number  were  New  Bedlbrd  whalers.  In 
September,  1871,  thirty-three  ships  were  abandoned  in  the  Arctic 
ocean  hopelessly  crushed  in  the  ice.  Twelve  hundred  men  were 
hemmed  in  by  the  ice  and  escaped  only  after  a  perilous  journe}^  of 
seventy  miles.  Of  the  thirty-three  vessels  crushed  or  abandoned, 
twenty-two  belonged  in  New  Bedford  and  were  valued  without  the  oil 
and  bone  on  board  at  $1,090,000.      In  1876    twelve  ships  were  aban- 


32  NEW    BEDFORD. 


doiu'd   in   tlic   Arctic.      Fifty  lives  were  lost  and  $660,000  worth   of 
property  was  destroyed. 

Tlie  latest  momentous  disaster  to  befall  the  whaling  industry  was 
on  the  third  of  August,  1888,  when  five  vessels  were  lost  in  a  terrific 
<rale  oft'  Point  Barrow  in  the  Arctic  ocean.  Three  of  these  vessels 
were  owned  in  New  Bedford  —  the  ship  Young  Phoenix  and  barks 
Mary  &  Susan  and  Fleetwing  —  and  the  loss  sustained  by  the  New 
Bedford  owners  was  about  $60,000.  These  whalers  were  anchored 
between  Cape  Smith  and  Point  Barrow,  waiting  for  the  ice  to  break 
up.  All  the  vessels  in  the  fleet  sutfered  by  the  storm  and  were 
succored  by  the  U.  S.  R.  M.  steamers  Thetis  and  Bear,  which  carried 
the  shipwrecked  whalemen  to  San  Francisco.  Scarcely  a  season 
goes  by  without  some  similar  disaster,  and  the  whole  life  of  an  Arctic 
whaleman  is  crowded  with  danger  and  suflfering. 

From  natural  causes  the  w^hale-fishery  began  to  decline  before 
some  of  these  disasters  occurred,  and  the  shipping  has  never  been 
replaced  except  by  the  building  of  an  occasional  vessel ;  but  the 
capital  that  could  again  have  sent  out  great  fleets  on  the  sea  to 
replace  those  fired  by  the  pirate's  torch  or  whose  timbers  are  entombed 
in  Arctic  ice  and  snow  contributed  to  the  varied  industries  of  the 
city. 

The  average  price  of  sperm  oil  for  the  year  1887  was  66  cents,  of 
whale  oil  32  cents,  and  of  bone  $3.12.  The  reader  will  glean  from 
this  the  truth,  that  the  value  of  the  catch  in  late  years  depends 
largely  on  the  bone  secured,  which  is  by  far  the  most  important  feat- 
ure of  many  whalers'  cargoes.  It  is  within  ,the  remembrance  of 
many  an  old  whaleman  when  this  bone,  now  so  precious,  was  dumped 
over  the  ship's  side  as  waste  or  only  saved  by  the  sailors  for  "scrim- 
shaw work,"  as  they  termed  their  employment  in  idle  hours  on  ship- 
board in  making  curious  knick-knacks  for  friends  on  shore.  When 
first  saved,  the  bone  had  a  market  value  of  only  a  few  cents  a  pound. 
In  1823  it  was  worth  about  12  cents.  From  that  it  jumped  to  25,  then 
30  and  40.  as  its  value  became  more  apparent,  and  when  the  demand 
increased  the  price  rapidlv  rose  to  about  the  present  figures.  While 
substitutes  were  tound  for  the  other  products  of  the  whale-fishery, 
inventive  genius  in  vain  has  strived  to  supply  an  article  that  will  fill 
the  place  of  the  whalebone.  Russian  horn,  celluloid. —  artificial  and 
natural  substances  alike  have  been  tried,  but  none  will  answer  the 
purpose.     The  discovery  of  petroleum  was  timely,  for  the  increasing 


THE    WHALE-FISHERY.  35 


demands  of  the  New  and  the  Old  World  could  never  have  been  sup- 
plied by  whale  oil,  but  it  is  reserved  for  the  future  to  find  that  substi- 
tute which  can  fill  the  place  of  the  bone  which  now  advances  in  price 
with  its  ever-growing  consumption. 

A  rough  estimate  shows  the  capital  toda}^  invested  in  the  whale- 
fishery  in  the  world  to  be  not  far  from  two  and  a  quarter  millions  dol- 
lars. Of  this  New  Bedford  alone  has  an  interest  of  a  million  and 
three-quarters  —  seven-ninths  of  the  industry  being  managed  in  New 
Bedford. 

Despite  its  decline,  it  is  an  undisputed  tact  that  the  whale-fishery 
of  our  city,  as  now  carried  on,  has  a  larger  interest  than  the  whal- 
ing of  the  whole  outside  WH)rld  together. 

The  statistics  given  herewith  will  show  the  reader  something  of 
the  magnitude  of  New  Bedford's  present  whaling  interests. 

Vessels  Employed  in  the  Whale-fishery  January  i,   1888. 

Ships  auil  Barks.                Brigs.  Sclioouers.  Tous. 

New  Bedford, 62 2 10 18,911 

Edgartowii, 2 1 1 612 

Provineetowii, - 1 8 881 

Bostou,     - 1 2 296 

New  Loudon,      - - S 491 

StoniugtOD,      - - 2 180 

San  Francisco, 19 1 1 6,480 


Total  for  January  1,  1888,  .  83 6 27 27,851 

Importations 

Of  sperm  oil,  whale  oil,  and  whalebone   into  the   Ihiited   States 
in  1887  : 

Barrels  Sperm.                      Barrels  Whale.                  Pounds  Bone. 
New  Bedford, 18,r)6r) 2,.oO;5 ir),;{70 

Boston, i:.m; -     

Provineetowii, 486 1^ A\)0 

New  London, - 1,1  JO (;,Oi;i 

New  York,     2,.^76 (i;{4 1,^0S 

San  Francisco, 880 2'.i,S70 .")61,694 


Total, 18,S7;J :^4.i7i :)s:.,on 

In  studying  this  talkie  the  reader  must  bear  in  iiiiiul  that  the  great 
New  Bedford  Arctic  lleet  has  its  rendezvous  at  San  Francisco,  and 


36  NEW    nEDFORD. 

that  the  New  Bedford  whalemen  bring  into  that  port  an  immense 
amount  of  oil  and  bone,  which  swells  the  figures  of  the  importations  of 

San  Francisco  given  above.  The  magnitude,  however,  of  the  busi- 
ness of  New  Bedford  is  shown  by  the  fact  that  the  total  value  of  oils 
and  whalebone  imported  into  New  Bedford  lor  the  past  half  centur}' 

was  $141,290^177.  The  following  table  compiled  by  B.  F.  H.  Reed 
shows  the  average  prices  of  whale  catchings  for  half  a  century  and 
the  value  of  oil  and  whalebone  received  at  New  Bedford  : 

Date.       Siienu  oil  per  )j:al.   Whale  oil  per  >ral.   Whalebone  iter  iiouiid.     \alii(' of  catch. 

1S;{5 .$.84 $.3() $.24 

183G 88 44 25 

1837 82 33 22 

1838 8.J 32 1!) .'s2,4!»0,0.")l 

1839 1.04 34 1!) 2,385,:537 

1840 1.01 31 .Ill 2,344,142 

1841 i)4 32 20 2,204,130 

1842 73 34 23 2,337,.o4.5 

1843 G3 34 .3.5 l,703,.3.5(i 

1844 1)0 36 40 3,104,01).t 

184.5 88 33 34 2,707,117 

184G 88 34 34 2,182,403 

1847 1.00 36 31 3,383,-562 

1848 1.00 33 25 2,913,483 

1849 1.09 40 32 2,765,460 

1850 1.21 49 34 3,279,695 

1851 1.27 45 34 4,812,395 

1852 1.24 68 51 2,8,53,862 

1853 1.25 58 34 2,733,015 

1854 1.49 .59 39 5,924,362 

1855 1.77 71 45 5,283,120 

1856 1.62 79 58 5,364,700 

1857 1.28 73 97 6,178,728 

1858 1.21 54 92 4,605,523 

1S,59 1.36 48 77 5.831,.564 

I860 1.41 49 79 4,216,696 

1861 1.31 45 70 3,.384,463 

1862 1.27 51 85 2,695,167 

1863 1.11 66 1.06 2!708,912 

1864 96 63 90 2^370,644 

1865 1.45 93 1.02 2,87o!83S 

1866 1.82 88 95 3,137,088 

1867 1.70 54 85 2.874.602 

1868 1.39 68 73 4,7.56,040 

1869 1.38 77 90 3.168J40 

1870 1.20 .59 77 2.981,012 

1871 1.18 54 82 2^547^071 

1872 1.32 60 1.27 1,893,235 


THE    WHALE-FISHERY.  3/ 


Date.  Sperm  oil  per  gal.       Wliale  oil  per  gal.       WhalcVioiie  i)er  pomid.  Value  of  ('atcli. 

is:;^ $1.31 $.o4: $.i)s .$i,8:{;j,ii2 

1S71 1.44 5o iin l,l)8(),o:54 

is:.-, 1.41 57 l.l-i •2,8S2,4.-50 

1870.    ...-».     1.2.5 54 l.ilO 1,717,383 

1S77 1.07 55 2.3(; 1,450,083 

1878 90 43 2.42 1,780,-585 

187!) 84 39 2.34 1,735,190 

1880 99 51 2.00 2,014,088 

]S8] 88 48 1.03 1,0.53,108 

1882 1.00 53 1.71 1.395,455 

1883 97 .54 2.87 1,048,200 

1884 85 50 3.55 1,084.980 

1885 82 45 2.08 1,429,554 

1880 74 33 2.73 1,042,-530 

1887 00 32 3.12 1,042,794 

The  statistics  for  the  term  of  suspension  of  specie  payments  dur- 
ing and  after  the  war  Mr.  Reed  based  upon  gold  values. 

The  following  shows  the  number  of  whaling  vessels  belonging 
lo  New  Bedford  and  their  tonnage  for  the  past  fifty  years,  with  the 
exception  of  two  or  three  years  not  easily  obtainable  : 


Date.  Vessels.  Tonnage. 


St'pt. 

Oct. 

.(.111. 

.1.111. 

.);iii. 

•Fiiii. 

.Ian. 

.fail. 

Jan. 

-Ian. 

.Ian. 

.Fan. 

.Ian. 

.I:in. 

.Fan. 

-Ian. 

-Fan. 

.Ian. 

.Fan. 

.Ian. 

.Fan. 

.Fan. 

.Fan. 

.Tan. 

•Ian. 


,1839 177 50,118 

,  1841 201 0.3,059 

,  1844 219 09,703 

,  1845 239 70,784 

,  1840 254 80,033 

,  1847 254 82,701 

,  1848 248 80,940 

,  1849 2-50 81.075 

,  18.50 2.38 77,138 

,  1851 249 81,442 

,  1852 282 94,042 

,  18.53 311 104.005 

,  18-54 318 107,512 

,  18-55 -314 105.4.59 

,  18.50 320 107,702 

,  1857 329 Ill  .304 

,  18-58 324 110.207 

,  18,59 310 107.931 

,  1800 301 103,5(14 

,  1801 291 98.700 

,  18(;2 200 S(i.'.l71 

,  1803 220 7.3.001 

,  1804 197 r,|.si5 

,  1805      175 58,012 

,  1800  , 101 ■ .50.403 


38 


NEW  bp:i)FORD. 


VesBcls.  Tonnage. 

l>al('.  -Q  rjAA 

.Inn.  1,  ISdS i«^ ; 

.hn>.  MS.in 179 ^yfO 

.,,„  1  1S7() 176 .-  •  •  ^^O'^^'-'' 

•'    "  \\'  17X          50,100 

.Ian.  1,  lS/1 '7o , 

Jan.  1,  1872 1« ^^'f,? 

..;;:  1 1874 na 32,594 

ja„.  1,  1875 107 ^9'«41 

,    ,'  TQ-(.  116 •  •  31,691 

Jan.  1,  18(() iio  .  .  .  1 

-    ,  ,0--  lis      30.4bo 

130  33,444 


Jan.  1,  1878  

.125 31,899 

'.'.['..'..    m 31,376 

Ill 28,186 


.    ,  ,^^„  13->      33,368 

Jan.  1,  18/9 ^''- 

Ja"!  1^  1881  '.'.'... 123 31,376 


Jan.  1,  1882  

Jan.  1,  1883 106 ^7.140 

Jan.  1,  1884 93 22,877 

Jan.  1,  1885 8'^ •^1'728 

Jan.  1,  1886  .  .  .  • 77 19,913 

Jan.  1,  1887 77 19,667 

Jan.  1,  1888 74 18,911 

The  increase  in  1846  was  caused  by  the  demand  for  vessels  for 
the  bowhead  fishery,  then  just  discovered  in  the  Okhotsk  and  Kam- 
chatka seas  and  the  Arctic  ocean.  In  1850  the  California  emigration 
had  an  effect  in  the  opposite  direction. 

One  of  the  most  important  features  of  the  whaling  industry  of 
today  is  the  steam  whaling.  The  steam  whaler  is  an  outgrowth  of 
the  necessities  of  Arctic  whaling.  It  was  soon  found  of  the  first 
importance  to  enter  and  leave  the  frozen  seas  with  the  greatest  expe- 
dition. To  a  brainy  seaman  of  New  Bedford  the  idea  of  the  appli- 
cation of  steam  at  once  suggested  itself.  He  saw  at  a  glance  its 
possibilities  —  a  quicker  excursion  to  the  Arctic,  a  longer  stay  with 
diminished  danger  of  being  nipped  in  the  ice,  and  a  greatly  increased 
facilitv  ill  pursuing  the  chase  for  the  monster  of  the  deep.  With  the 
characteristic  enterprise  and  keenness  of  the  hardy  New  Englander, 
he  at  once  put  his  idea  into  practice.  With  read}-  money  a  steamer 
was  built  which  revolutionized  the  methods  of  whaling,  increased  the 
catch,  and  was  at  once  followed  by  others,  until  now  the  fleet  of 
steam  whalers  is  of  prime  importance  in  the  industry.  A  description 
of  one  of  these  vessels  will  suffice  for  all.  The  William  Lewis,  the 
latest  addition  to  the  fleet  of  steam  whalers,  was  built  at  Bath,  Maine, 


THE    WHALE-FISHERY. 


39 


in  the  summer  of  i{ 
and  has  left  New  Bed- 
ford for  the  Sandwich 
Islands,  whence  she 
will  sail  for  the  Arctic 
ocean  in  1889.  This 
vessel,  which  is  bark 
rigged,  is  in  some  re- 
spects one  of  the  finest 
of  steam  whalers.  Of 
460  tons  gross  tonnage, 
she  is  145  feet  long, 
with  30  feet  breadth  of 
beam,  and  the  depth 
of  her  hold  is  16^  feet. 
She  is  built  entirely  of 
live  oak"*  and  white 
oak,  copper  and  iron 
fastened.  Her  plank- 
ing is  of  white  oak,  and 
she  is  sheathed  with 
two  inch  hickory  to 
protect  her  hull  from 


GROUP  OF  OLD  WHALERS. 


BARK   ROSSEAU. 


40 


NEW    BEDFORD. 


the  ice.  Her  stem  is  protected  by  heavy  composition  plates.  To 
)-)rc\ent  her  from  being  cruslied  if  pinched  by  the  ice,  she  has  three 
sets  of  pointers  forward  and  two  aft.  She  is  provided  with  a  Provi- 
dence steam  windhiss  which  is  worked  by  steam  power  and  is  a  very 
powerful  labor-saving  piece  of  mechanism.  The  vessel  has  a  4^  com- 
pound engine,  of  22  inches  diameter  of  high  pressure  cylinder,  38 
inches  diameter  of  low  pressure  cylinder,  and  26  inch  stroke,  fitted 
witii  independent  adjustable  cut-off  valve.  The  shaft  makes  100  rev- 
olutions per  minute.  The  main  cabin  is  unusually  large,  finished  in 
ash  with  black  walnut  trimmings.  A  mahogany  dining  table  occu- 
pies the  centre  of  the  floor.     It  has  an  extension  at  the  forward  end. 


liiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii!!^ 


SEAMEN'S  BETHEL  AND  MARINERS'  HOME. 

On  the  port  side  are  three  staterooms  and  a  water  closet,  the  last 
named  leading  from  a  passage  on  deck  just  forward  of  the  wheel 
house.  On  the  starboard  side  out  of  the  main  cabin  are  two  laro-e 
rooms, — the  chief  engineer's  room  and  pantry,  the  latter  being  well 
supplied  with  lockers  and  drawers.  Just  forward  of  the  engineer's 
room,  in  the  jnissage-way  to  the  main  deck,  are  two  state  rooms,  fin- 
ished tor  other  officers.  The  caWn  is  heated  by  steam.  Aft  of  the 
main  cabin  is  the  captain's  cabin,  in  ash,  with  the  same  trimmings 
as  the  main  cabin,  and  supplied  with  furniture  of  the  most  attractive 


THE    WHALE-FISHERY.  4I 


patterns.  The  chairs  and  sofa  are  upholstered  in  brown  plush  and  a 
Brussels  carpet  is  on  the  floor.  Adjoining  this  room  on  the  star- 
board side  is  the  captain's  state  room,  furnished  in  a  st\'le  in  keeping 
with  other  furniture  on  the  ship.  The  steerage  on  the  port  side 
forward  of  the  cabin  is  fitted  with  eight  berths  and  is  heated  by  steam, 
while  the  forecastle,  which  is  very  large  and  contains  twenty-two 
berths,  is  also  heated  by  steam.  The  vessel  has  a  large  poop  deck, 
on  the  forward  part  of  which  is  a  platform  surrounded  by  a  rail. 
This  place  is  used  as  a  lookout,  and  has  communication  with  the 
engine  room.  Forward  of  the  cabin  is  the  engine,  and  just  forward  of 
the  engine  is  the  boiler.  The  cook's  galley  is  aft  of  the  mainmast 
and  forward  of  the  boiler.  The  wheel-house  is  aft  and  the  steering- 
gear  is  the  Edison  patent.  On  deck  are  two  •••  try-pots,"  each  capable 
of  holding  two  hundred  gallons,  in  which  the  blubber  is  tried  out 
after  being  cut  up.  Between  decks  are  large  iron  tanks,  each  hold- 
ing one  hundred  barrels  of  oil.  These  tanks  are  to  receive  oil  from 
the  cooler  and  from  them  it  is  run  through  pipes  into  the  lower  hold 
to  fill  the  casks.  This  description  of  one  of  the  finest  steam  whalers 
ever  built  will  give  the  reader  as  good  an  idea  as  words  can  present 
of  this  class  of  vessels,  their  protection  against  the  ice  of  the  north, 
and  the  comfort  afforded  their  crews.  She  bears  the  name  of  the 
pioneer  of  steam  whaling,  a  man  to  whose  energv  and  enterprise  the 
industry  is  greatly  indebted. 

For  those  who  have  not  lived  in  a  seaboard  town  it  would  be  hard 
to  imagine  the  cosmopolitan  aspect  of  the  whaling  port  of  New  Bed- 
ford in  the  great  da3's  of  whaling.  For  those  whose  fortunes  were 
cast  along  the  coast  the  animated  scenes  at  a  wharf  where  a  whaler 
is  fitting  are  in  striking  contrast  to  the  humdrum  tiiough  Inisv  life 
on  their  own  piers  attending  the  loading  and  unloading  of  merchant 
vessels.  Representatives  of  every  nation  on  the  face  of  the  world 
contribute  to  a  whaler's  crew.  The  typical  Yankee's  nasal  twang,  the 
Frenchman's  jargon,  the  Irishman's  brogue,  the  South  Sea  Islander's 
guttural  tones,  the  Spaniard's  oaths,  mingled  with  the  strange  speech  of 
the  Portuguese,  the  Swede,  the  Norwegian,  the  German,  the  Italian, 
the  Malay,  and  the  Chinese,  —  every  tongue  is  heard  in  a  surprisingly 
weird  medley.  Coal  black  "Bravas"  from  the  Cape  Verd  islands 
jostle  against  the  Americanized  African  negro  and  intermingle  with  a 
motley  group  of  sailors  voluntarily  exiled  from  their  homes  in  Pico, 
San  Miguel,  Fayal,  Flores,  Corvo,  and  other  islands  of  the  Azores. 


42 


NEW    BEDFORD. 


In  curious  contrast  to  these  men  of  swarthy  complexion  are  the  light 
haired  men  of  northern  Europe.  Here  indeed  is  a  congress  of 
nations.  Such  an  ethnological  study  with  the  living  subjects  for 
many  years  presented  itself  daily  to  the  stranger  in  New  Bedford. 

The  great  Arctic  fleet  now  has  its  rendezvous  at  San  Francisco, 
where  the  ships  are  titted  out,  and  in  the  middle  of  February  a  host  of 
the  New  Bedford  ship  masters  and  seamen  make  a  hurried  trip  across 
the  continent  to  join  their  vessels,  returning  to  their  homes  early 
in  November  at  the  conclusion  of  their  voyages  into  the  frozen 
north. 

At  New  Bedford  all  the  ships  but  the  Arctic  fleet  are  now  litted 
out,  the  work  giving  employment  and  business  to  mechanics  and 
tradesmen  of  every  description.  In  the  past,  many  whalers  were  built 
here,  and  no  better  constructed  craft  ever  sailed  the  seas.  They  were 
built  on  honor,  and  integrity  and  conscientiousness  went  in  with  every 
bolt  and  timber.  But  with  the  decline  of  whaling,  the  ship  yards  were 
one  after  another  abandoned,  and  a  large  part  of  the  population  of  New 
Bedford  can  now  scarcely  remember  the  spectacle  of  a  launching. 
Some  of  the  fleet,  in  the  days  when  a  great  demand  for  ships  existed, 
were  purchased  from  the  merchant  service  and  transformed  into 
whalers.  For  voyages  in  southern  waters  the  vessels  do  not  need  the 
stout  armor  that  surrounds  those  that  are  destined  to  push  through 
frozen  waters.  When  the  blacksmith,  the  cooper,  the  ship  carpenter, 
the  caulker,  the  sailmaker,  the  painter,  and  the  rigger  have  finished 
their  labors  the  vessel  is  in  readiness  for  her  outfit.  In  years  past  the 
first  step  was  to  fill  her  ground  tier  with  salt  water,  partly  as  ballast. 
In  those  days  the  whalers  had  three  tiers.  At  this  time,  however,  the 
greater  number  have  but  two  and  only  fresh  water  is  taken  aboard. 
First  comes  some  five  hundred  barrels  of  water,  then  fiftv  barrels  of 
salt  provision,  fifty  or  sixty  barrels  of  flour  in  bread,  and  twenty 
barrels  filled  with  uncooked  flour.  A  thousand  gallons  of  molasses, 
four  hundred  pounds  of  coffee  and  the  same  amount  of  sugar  follow. 
Household  stores  of  almost  every  kind  are  represented,  and  the  fur- 
nishings embrace  a  wonderful  variety  of  articles.  An  estimate  of  the 
fittings  in  1858,  when  sixty-five  ships  sailed  Irom  New  Bedford, 
showed  an  expenditure  of  almost  two  million  dollars,  and  included 
flour,  meal,  beef,  pork,  salt,  molasses,  rice,  beans,  dried  apples,  sugar, 
butter,  cheese,  ham,  codfish,  coffee,  tea,  raisins,  corn,  potatoes,  onions, 
vinegar,  sperm  candles,  fresh  water,  oak  and  pine  wood,  staves,  head- 


THE    WHALE-FISHERY.  45 


ing,  iron  hoops,  rivets,  sheathing  copper  and  yellow  metal,  sheath 
nails,  coppering  nails,  tar,  cordage,  boat-boards,  pine  boards,  flags, 
bricks,  lime,  canvas,  cotton  twine,  cotton  cloth,  tobacco,  white  lead, 
linseed  oil,  paint,  liquors,  guVi  powder,  and  clothing.  These  were 
only  the  principal  articles.  The  catalogue  in  detail  is  astounding 
tor  its  minutiae,  showing  that  the  whaleman  pays  tribute  to  almost 
every  trade. 

Shipping  a  crew  is  not  the  least  important  task  of  the  ow-ner  ot 
a  whaleship.  In  the  average  ship,  from  twenty-four  to  thirty  men 
are  required.  These  must  be  selected  with  care,  lor  upon  their  skill, 
enterprise,  and  endurance  the  success  of  the  voyage  depends.  When 
the  owner  has  provided  a  good  ship  and  has  furnished  her  with 
ever}-  appliance  for  her  work,  he  must  still  trust  the  success  of  the 
voyage  to  the  men  who  are  selected  to  conduct  it.  Ordinarily,  the 
crew  includes  :  The  master,  usually  a  man  of  long  experience  and 
tried  ability,  who  has  served  in  many  subordinate  positions  under 
skilled  captains  ;  the  mates,  three  or  four  in  number,  daring,  alert 
seamen,  with  the  ambition  to  show  themselves  w^orthy  the  command 
of  a  vessel  ;  the  boat  steerers,  brawny  sons  of  the  sea,  with  quick 
eve  and  readv  decision  in  emero-encies  ;  the  steward  and  cook,  men 
of  great  importance  on  shipboard  ;  a  cooper,  whose  duties  are  indi- 
cated by  his  title,  and  who  is  often  an  adept  at  many  trades  ;  and 
the  sailors,  who  are  usually  graded  as  seamen,  ordinary  seamen,  and 
green  hands.  Among  these  latter  may  often  be  found  smart,  active 
voung  men  from  the  coimtry,  destined  in  3^ears  to  come  to  be  masters 
of  ships,  because  they  are  built  of  the  timber  tbund  in  the  masterly 
sailor.  The  way  to  the  cabin  is  often  long  and  difficult,  and  the 
seekers  for  distinction  in  the  whaling  service  experience  the  same  dis- 
couragements and  disappointments  that  come  to  the  ambitious  in  all 
other  pursuits. 

The  introduction  of  the  steam  whaler  has  added  to  the  officers 
of  the  vessel  the  engineer,  and  to  the  crew  the  firemen. 

When  the  ship  is  ready  for  sea.  she  is  towed  out  of  the  harbor 
by  a  stuffy  little  tug  and  is  soon,  wnth  all  sail  set,  off  on  her  voyage. 
The  first  night  out  all  hands  are  called  aft  to  tell  oft'  tiie  watches  and 
select  boats'  crew^s.  The  regulations  to  be  observed  on  shipboard  are 
read  and  the  master  gives  general  instructions  to  be  obeyed  during  the 
voyage.  On  the  first  calm  da}'  the  boats  are  lowered,  and  the  green 
hands  are  taught  their  places  and  the  handling  of  their  oars.      Many 


4.6  NEW    BEDFORD. 


a  poor  boy  has  had  a  dreaded  attack  of  seasickness  or  the  equally 
dreaded  malady,  homesickness,  but  a  considerate  New  Bedford  cap- 
tain practices  forbearance  and  the  stricken  ones  are  excused  from  duty 
aloft  and  are  soon  in  a  condition  to  resume  their  work. 

The  sailors  are  divided  into  boats'  crews  of  six.  When  whales  are 
sighted  frequently  all  the  boats  are  lowered  at  once.  Six  men  remain 
aboard  as  ship  keepers,  while  their  comrades  in  the  several  boats 
lessen  the  chance  of  the  escape  of  their  prey.  When  the  leviathan  is 
neared  the  boatsteerer  throws  the  irons  and  at  once  changes  positions 
with  the  boatheader,  who  is  generally  the  master  of  the  ship  or  one 
of  the  officers,  and  whose  duty  it  is  to  strike  the  whale  with  the  lance. 
The  officer  does  this,  going  forward  as  the  boat  draws  to  the  whale's 
side.  The  great  monster  spouts  blood,  the  sign  of  the  throes  of 
death,  and  often  this  ends  the  chase,  nothing  remaining  but  to  tow 
the  whale  to  the  ship  for  the  processes  of  cutting  in  and  boiling  out. 
But  frequentlv  the  pursuit  does  not  end  in  this  way,  for  the  whale 
sometimes  assumes  the  role  of  pursuer  and  enacts  it  with  w^onderful 
effect.  Then  is  seen  the  most  exciting  and  dangerous  part  of  the 
whaleman's  life.  The  monsters  of  the  deep  are  endowed  wdth  enor- 
mous strength  w^hich,  when  wounded  or  infuriated,  thev  use  with 
terrible  effect.  Scores  of  thrilling  stories  are  told  by  every  old 
whaleman.  A  typical  one  is  that  of  Capt.  Mallory  of  the  bark 
Osceola,  who  relates  an  instance  in  which  one  of  his  boats  struck  a 
large  sperm  whale.  Soon  after  another  boat  fastened  to  him  and 
was  stove.  Then  from  the  first  boat  a  bomb  lance  was  fired  into  him. 
This  boat  was  at  once  stove  by  the  w^hale,  the  bottom  being  knocked 
completely  out.  The  ship  picked  up  the  swimming  crews  and  was 
then  steered  for  the  whale.  On  seeing  his  new  antagonist  he  rushed 
at  her,  striking  her  on  the  bow,  knocking  off  the  cutwater  with  his 
head,  and  tearing  the  copper  and  sheathing  from  her  bow  with  his 
jaw.  The  ship  was  again  run  for  him,  and  as  she  ranged  alongside 
two  bomb  and  two  whale  lances  were  fired  into  the  whale.  A  boat 
was  then  lowered  and  two  more  bomb  lances  were  discharged  into 
him  without  effect.  By  this  time  it  was  night,  and  the  boat  was  called 
aboard.  The  ship  was  kept  near  the  whale,  which  could  be  occasion- 
ally heard  fighting  the  fragments  of  boats  and  oars.  ••  Thus  through 
the  night,"  continues  the  narrator  of  this  episode,  "  he  held  his  ground, 
although  he  had  two  lines  (600  fathoms)  towing  on  to  the  harpoons, 
five  bombs  exploded  in  him,  and  other  wounds  from  lances."     The 


THE   WHALE-FISHERY. 


49 


next  morning  the  attack  was  renewed  with  bomb  lances  and  thirty- 
one  were  fired  into  him  before  he  was  killed. 

No  limit  to  these  exciting  stories  has  ever  yet  been  found. 
The  readers  of  this  book  will  be  more  interested  in  them  than  in  the 
statistical  tables  of  the  catchings  and  valuations,  important  as  they 
are.  Here  is  the  narrative  of  an  experience  which  is  typical  of 
hundreds  of  others.  The  captain  of  the  bark  Parker  Cook  of  Prov- 
incetown  many  years  ago  lowered  two  boats  lor  a  bvdl  sperm  whale. 
The  nearest  boat  met  him  head  on,  and,  when  abreast  of  the  hump, 
the  boatsteerer  put  two  irons  into  him.  Before  the  boat  could  be 
brought  head  on,  the  whale  jumped  half  out  of  water  and  capsized 
the  craft,  the  line  Ibuling  the  boatsteerer's  leg,  almost  severing  it 
from  the  bod\'.  Manifesting  wonderful  nerve  and  great  presence  of 
mind,  the  sailor  cut  the  line.  The  other  boat  picked  up  the  upset 
crew  and  returned  to  the  bark.  But  the  whale  was  not  satisfied  with 
this.  He  ran  for  the  bark  with  all  the  force  at  his  command,  strikino- 
the  vessel  a  tremendous  blow,  prostrating  the  men  on  deck  and  bury- 
ing in  his  head  the  cutwater  and  stem  up  to  the  planking.  A  second 
time  he  struck  the  vessel,  but  with  much  less  force.  Meanwhile  the 
captain  had  made  ready  his  bomb  lance  and  lowered  another  boat. 
Three  times,  within  eight  yards  of  him,  the  captain  fired  the  lance 
into  his  body,  and  eventually  made  him  spout  blood,  though  with 
every  piercing  of  the  lance  he  rushed  open-mouthed  at  the  boat, 
requiring  the  utmost  skill  and  courage  to  avoid  him.  One  hundred 
and  three  barrels  of  oil  was  the  reward  of  the  captors,  who  were 
obliged  to  put  into  Fayal  for  medical  aid  for  the  boatsteerer,  and  to 
repair  their  damaged  vessel. 

Two  ships  at  least  have  been  destroyed  by  the  attacks  of  whales. 
One  of  these  was  the  Essex  of  Nantucket,  and  the  other  the  Ann 
Alexander  of  New  Bedlbrd.  In  both  these  cases,  the  ship  was 
struck  by  an  infuriated  whale  and  so  injured  that  she  soon  sank. 
The  crews  were  obliged  to  take  to  the  boats,  and  sufiered  terribly. 
In  fact,  very  few  of  the  crew  of  the  Essex  survived. 

In  one  instance  it  is  recorded  that  a  whale  was  killed  only  at'ter 
a  chase  of  nine  miles  in  which  it  carried  otT  one  boat,  which  was 
demolished,  and  nearly  six  miles  of  line. 

Another  captain  tells  an  experience  in  which  a  whale  was  killed 
only  after  nine  hours'  fighting.  Three  boats  were  stove,  a  number  of 
irons  and  bombs  were  lost,  several  oars  were  broken,  and,  to  crown 


50 


NEW    BEDFORD. 


all,  the  whale  sunk  in  forty  fathoms  of  water,  carrying  a  large  quan- 
tity of  line  with  him. 

When  the  whale  is  dead  it  is  taken  in  tow  to  the  ship's  side. 
The  cutting  operations  are  then  begun.  The  great  pieces  of  blubber 
are  hauled  over  the  main  hatch  and  minced  into  fme  pieces  called 
horse  pieces  and  the  boiling  begins.  Water  is  pumped  into  caboose 
pens  or  jogs  along  the  deck  to  prevent  the  woodwork  catching  fire 
from  the  try  works.  The  casks  containing  the  provisions,  tow  lines, 
or  sails  have  been  emptied  and  are  cleansed  and  swabbed  clean. 
The  hot  oil  is  then  forced  in  and  the  casks  are  lashed  to  the  rail  on 
the  ship's  side  to  cool  before  being  stowed  below.  Various  modifica- 
tions of  this  process  are,  however,  practiced  in  different  vessels. 
Wlien  a  whale  is  cut  at  night  one  watch  boils  until  midnight  while 
the  other  watch  is  below,  and  from  that  time  until  six  in  the 
morning  the  second  watch  takes  hold.  The  oil  once  below  and  the 
weather  good  the  whalemen  are  again  on  the  outlook  for  their  prey. 
From  twelve  hundred  to  two  thousand  barrels  is  a  good  voyage  for 
right  whalemen.  Preparing  the  casks  for  the  oil,  it  is  readih^  seen, 
gives  emplovment  to  the  cooper  with  the  shooks  which  are  stowed 
snugly  away  below  on  the  outward  trip. 

"I  should  like,"  says  Capt.  Davis,  author  of  The  Nimrod  of  the 
Sea,  himself  a  veteran  whaleman,  in  speaking  of  the  right  whale, 
"to  convey  to  the  reader  some  idea  of  the  dimensions  of  the  creature 
from  which  the  bone  is  taken.  To  do  so  is  onl}'-  possible  by  entering 
into  the  details  of  the  various  parts,  with  their  sizes,  and  by  com- 
parison with  objects  familiar  to  the  mind.  The  blubber,  or  blanket, 
of  such  a  whale  would  carpet  a  room  twent}'-two  3'ards  long  and  nine 
yards  wide,  averaging  half  a  yard  in  thickness.  *  *  *  gg|-  ^^p  ^ 
saw-log  two  feet  in  diameter  and  twent}^  feet  in  length  for  the  ridge 
pole  of  the  room  we  propose  to  build :  then  raise  it  in  the  air  fifteen 
feet,  and  support  it  with  pieces  of  timber  seventeen  feet  long,  spread, 
say,  nine  feet.  This  will  make  a  room  nine  feet  wide  at  the  bottom, 
two  feet  wide  at  the  peak,  and  twenty  feet  long,  and  will  convev  an 
idea  of  the  upper  jaw,  the  saw-log  and  slanting  supports  representing 
the  bone.  *  *  *  These  walls  of  bone  are  clasped  bv  the  white 
blubbery  lips,  which  at  the  bottom  are  four  feet  thick,  tapering  to  a 
blunt  edge,  where  they  fit  into  a  rebate  sunk  in  the  upper  jaw.  The 
throat  is  four  feet  thick,  and  is  mainly  blubber,  interpenetrated  by 
fibrous,   muscular  flesh.     The  lips  and  throat  of  a  two-hundred-and- 


THE    WHALE-FISHERY.  53 


fifty-barrel  whale  should  yield  sixty  barrels  of  oil,  and,  with  the  sup- 
porting jaw-bones,  will  weigh  as  much  as  twenty-five  oxen  of  one 
thousand  pounds  each.  Attached  to  the  throat  by  a  broad  base  is 
the  enormous  tongue,  the  size  of  which  can  be  better  conceived  by 
the  fact  that  twenty-five  barrels  of  oil  have  been  taken  from  one. 
Such  a  tongue  v/ould  equal  in  weight  ten  oxen.  *  *  *  The  tail 
of  such  a  whale  is  about  twenty-five  feet  broad  and  six  feet  deep,  and 
is  considerably  more  forked  than  that  of  the  spermaceti.  The  point 
of  juncture  with  the  body  is  about  four  feet  in  diameter,  the  vertebra 
about  fifteen  inches  ;  the  remainder  of  the  small  being  packed  with 
rope-like  tendons  from  the  size  of  a  finger  to  that  of  a  man's  leg. 
The  great  rounded  joint  at  the  base  of  the  skull  gleams  like  an  ivory 
sphere,  nearly  as  large  round  as  a  carriage  wheel.  Through  the 
greatest  blood-vessels,  more  than  a  foot  in  diameter,  surges,  at  each 
pulsation  of  a  heart  as  large  as  a  hogshead,  a  torrent  of  barrels  of 
blood  heated  to  one  hundred  and  four  degrees.  The  respiratory  canal 
is  over  twelve  inches  in  diameter,  through  which  the  rush  of  air  is  as 
noisy  as  the  exhaust-pipe  of  a  thousand-horse  power  steam  engine  ; 
and  when  the  fatal  wound  is  given,  torrents  of  clotted  blood  are 
spattered  into  the  air  over  the  nauseated  hunters.  In  conclusion,  the 
right  whale  has  an  eye  scarcely  larger  than  a  cow's,  and  an  ear  that 
would  scarcely  admit  a  knitting-needle." 

Of  the  whaleships  man}-  have  paid  the  purchaser  the  vessel's 
original  cost,  the  expense  of  her  outfitting,  and  something  additional 
in  one  voyage.  Many  voyages  are  recorded  in  w4iich  the  value  of 
the  catchings  ranged  from  $65,000  to  $100,000.  Occasionally  one 
has  gone  beyond  this  high  figure.  On  the  other  hand,  there  have 
been  voyages  in  which  scarcely  a  whale  has  been  seen. 

A  sperm  whaler's  voyage  is  often  extended  three  or  four  years. 
In  that  time  the  ship  visits  the  Pacific  and  Indian  oceans.  New  Zealand, 
the  Society  and  Feejee  islands,  and  the  coast  of  Peru.  The  vessels 
leave  in  December,  January,  and  February.  Occa'sionally  they  make 
what  is  called  a  mixed  voyage,  seeking  both  sperm  and  right  whales, 
taking  each  in  its  season.  If  whales  are  taken  on  the  outward  trip 
the  catch  is  often  shipped  home  from  the  Western  Islands  or  the  first 
port  touched. 

A  whaleship  is  like  a  farm.  Something  to  be  done  is  always  the 
rule.  There  is  no  room  on  board  for  drones  ;  every  hand  must  be  a 
worker.     While   not  pursuing  a  whale  one  watcli — llio    division    of 


54  NEW    BEDFORD. 

officers  and  crew  which  manages  the  vessel — is  always  busy  on 
deck  for  four  hours  at  a  time.  The  remainder  of  the  crew  are  then 
below  reading  or  sleeping  or  repairing  clothes  or  doing  such  work  as 
they  choose  for  themselves.  Saturday  is  wash  day,  and  Sunday,  if 
no  whale  is  in  sight,  all  work  is  suspended  ;  but  at  the  signal  "There 
she  blows  !"  everything  is  busUe  and  the  Sunday  quiet  must  be  set 
aside  for  the  business  of  the  voyage. 

The  Seamen's  Bethel  and  Mariners'  Home,  illustrated  on  page  40 
of  this  book,  is,  to  those  who  see  it  daily,  a  constant  reminder  of  what 
New  Bedford  owes  to  the  whale-fishery.  These  are  under  the  man- 
agement of  the  New  Bedford  Port  Society  for  the  Moral  Improve- 
ment of  Seamen,  an  organization  which  was  formed  in  1830,  and 
which  was  the  direct  result  of  concern  for  the  moral  and  religious 
welfare  of  the  thousands  of  seamen  who  were  brought  to  New  Bedford 
by  the  demands  of  the  whaling  mdustry.  Under  the  care  of  faithful 
chaplains,  the  Bethel  has  done  a  work  the  influence  of  which  has 
reached  to  every  corner  of  the  world,  and  the  Mariners'  Home  has 
proven  a  welcome  resting  place  to  many  a  w^eary  sailor. 

The  whaling  industry  has  also  its  newspaper  organ,  the  Whale- 
men's Shipping  List  and  Merchants'  Transcript,  which  was  founded 
by  Henr}'  Lindsey  in  1843,  and  which  has  since  been  published  weekly. 
It  is  now  conducted  by  E.  P.  Raymond,  who  has  managed  it  since 
1861,  and  has  owned  it  since  1873.  No  other  paper  like  it  can  be 
found  in  the  world,  and  few  commercial  journals  can  boast  of  includ- 
ing so  widely  separated  regions  in  their  circulation. 


CHAPTER  III. 


SEEING   THE   SIGHTS. 


NE  of  our  oldest  residents  received 
the  other  day  a  letter  of  inquiry 
which  interested  him  more  than 
such  a  letter  mi^^ht  have  been 
expected  to.  He  is  a  typical  New 
Bedford  citizen,  who  received  the 
foundation  of  his  knowledge  in 
our  public  schools.  At  an  early 
age  he  commenced  a  life  on  the 
ocean  wave  and  later  he  became 
the  successful  master  of  a  whaling  vessel.  When  he  was  no  longer 
of  use  in  the  long  boat,  having  acquired  a  competency  he  retired  from 
active  business  and  invested  his  fortune  in  home  industries,  from 
which  he  receives  an  ample  income.  The  old  gentleman  feels  that 
he  is  indebted  to  his  city  in  many  ways  and  he  regards  it  as  a  duty  and 
a  pleasure  to  do  whatever  he  can  for  the  promotion  of  its  interests. 
The  letter  was  as  follows  : 

My  Dear  Sir : — I  write  to  ask  your  advice  witli  relation  to  a  svimnier  home.  Sev- 
eral of  my  family  liave  been  ill  with  a  malarious  difficulty  and  are  yet  delicate.  The 
regulation  summer  resort  won't  do  at  all.  I  am  looking  for  a  quiet  but  interesting 
place,  with  pretty  natural  attractions,  boating  facilities,  and  pleasant  drives.  Above 
all,  the  place  must  be  healthy.  If  you  know  of  any  place  combining  such  advan- 
tages, will  you  kindly  coiinimnicatc  with  ineV 

A  day  or  two  before,  the  old  gentleman  had  received  a  note  from 
the  son  of  a  friend  of  his  youth,  who  had  been  engaged  in  manufac- 
turing in  England  for  many  years,  and  who  desired  to  engage  in 
a  similar  line  of  manufacturino-  in  this  countr\  .     This    i^entleman 


NEW    BEDFORD. 


liiid  sou^Hit  advice  with  relation  to  an  eligible  place  to  locate  and 
had  returned  to  this  country  to  decide  upon  a  situation. 

Immediately  on  receipt  of  the  above  letter,  the  old  gendeman  sat 
down  and  wrote  to  each  of  his  friends,  invidng  them  to  run  down  to 
New  Bedford  for  a  day.  The  invitations  were  accepted  and  two  days 
later,  on  the  arrival  of  the  New  York  train,  both  gentlemen  appeared 
and  were  cordially  received  by  their  host. 

At  the  breakfast  table  the  latter  disclosed  the  reason  of  his  invi- 
tation. "  Before  the  day  is  over,"  he  said,  "I  hope  to  convince  you, 
my  dear  sir,  that  there  is  no  more  delightful  place  in  which  to  spend 
a  summer  this  side  of  Paradise  than  in  New  Bedford,  and  you, 
sir,  that  this  city  offers  unrivalled  facilities  for  manulacturing  pur- 
poses. Two  unqualified  statements,  you  see,  but  statements  which  I 
am  confident  you  will  admit  at  my  dinner  table.  This  morning  I 
propose  to  take  you  for  a  stroll  and  this  afternoon  we  will  devote  to 
driving.  If  you  have  finished  your  coffee,  let  us  take  our  hats 
and  go. 

"I  dare  say  you  will  often  find  me  inclined  to  lapse  into  ancient 
history,  gentlemen,"  said  the  host,  as  the  party  emerged  on  the  street ; 
"I  have  lived  to  see  this  place  undergo  many  wonderful  changes  and 
I  am  apt  to  grow  reminiscent  as  I  wander  along.  When  I  grow  tire- 
some don't  hesitate  to  interrupt  me,  but  I  wish  to  thoroughly  inform 
you  about  my  city  before  3'ou  leave  it. 

"You  may  have  observed  that  New  Bedford  is  built  on  a  hill- 
side. As  our  centennial  orator  expressed  it,  it  'lies  between  green 
pastures  on  the  one  hand  and  the  still  waters  of  the  river  on  the  other.' 
To  give  you  the  facts  in  a  practical  form,  the  city  is  situated  on  the 
west  side  of  the  Acushnet  river,  which  makes  up,  in  a  northerly  direc- 
tion, into  the  land  near  the  western  extremity  of  Buzzards  bay,  on  the 
south  shore  of  Massachusetts.  At  present  we  have  a  population  of 
38,000  to  40,000  people,  and  we  are  growing  rapidly.  We  rank  first 
as  a  whaling  city,  as  ever3-body  knows,  and  third  in  the  point  of  cotton 
manufacturing  among  the  cities  of  the  United  States,  having  sur- 
passed Lawrence,  Manchester,  Lewiston,  and  other  places.  We 
have  about  one  hundred  and  twenty  miles  of  streets,  forty  or  fifty 
miles  of  which  are  macadamized  or  paved.  The  city  is  about  ten  and 
two-thirds  miles  long  from  the  tip  of  Clark's  point  on  the  south  to 
Freetown  on  the  north,  and  its  average  width  is  two  miles.  The  area 
of  the  city  is  about  twenty  and  one-quarter  square  miles.     Finally, 


SEEING    THE    SIGHTS. 


57 


New  Bedford  is,  I  believe,  the  wealthiest  city  in  the  United  States  in 
proportion  to  its  population.     So  much  for  a  few  cold  facts  to  start 

with. 

"And  now,  gen- 
tlemen, we  are  on 
Water  street,  over- 
flowing, to  all  old  cit- 
izens, such  as  I  am, 
with  the  most  inter- 
esting-reminiscences. 
This     is     the    corner 


of  Union  and  Water 
streets,  'Four  Corners,' 
as  it  was  called  in  my 
boyhood.  William  A. 
Wall,  an  artist  whose 
oenius  has  illuminated 
some  prominent  pages 
in  local  history,  painted 
a  view  of  the  'Four  Cor- 
ners in  1812,'  which  is  regarded  as  accurate  in  detail  and  truthful  in 
the  portraits  of  several  leading  actors  of  those  times.     Among  the 


1^8  NEW    BEDFORD. 

incidental  features  of  this  painting  is  a  picture  of  William  Rotch, 
senior,  'Friend  Rotch,'  as  he  was  called,  in  one  of  the  old-fashioned 
square-topped  chaises  of  the  period. 

"Almost.every  old  building  on  this  street  is  interesting  to  me  and 
I  shall  show  you  houses  which  were  here  previous  to  the  Revolution. 
This  was  one  of  the  first  streets  of  the  old  town.  When  I  was  a  boy 
it  was  the  principal  business  street.  But  innovations  have  come. 
'Westward  the  star  of  empire  takes  its  way,'  and  business  has  taken 
the  same  direction.  Fiftv  years  ago  all  the  dry  goods,  boot  and  shoe, 
and  tailor  shop*>,  the  book,  hardware,  and  drug  stores  were  on  this 
street  and  the  lower  part  of  Union  street. 

"But  w^hile  these  innovations  have  come  to  the  dealers  in  mer- 
chandise, there  are  two  classes  that  have  remained.  The  financiers 
and  the  lawyers  have  never  deserted  the  street.  Nearly  all  of  our 
banks  and  insurance  offices  are  located  here.  Three  generations  of 
our  wealthv  men  have  been  daily  frequenters  of  the  street.  Within 
these  precincts  are  the  old  law  offices,  where  notables  of  the  bar  in 
bygone  vears  have  received  their  maiden  tees..  From  these  offices 
have  gone  forth  five  judges  to  dignify  their  high  stations,  two  of  wdiom 
have  been  chief  justices,  two  members  of  Congress,  of  whom  city  and 
state  are  proud,  two  attorney-generals,  and  a  governor  of  the  Com- 
monwealth. Their  students  have  read  Blackstone  in  these  old  rooms 
and,  when  their  seniors  have  been  called  to  appear  before  the  final 
bar,  have  taken  possession,  while  the  legal  world  has  gone  on  as 
before.  The  faded  and  weather-worn  collection  of  ancient  signs  over 
dilapidated  stairways  and  beneath  chamber  windows  have,  while  they 
were  permitted  to  remain,  been  suggestive  of  rich  memories  to  the 
elderly  citizens  who  paused  to  peruse  them.  Among  those  who  have 
been  called  to  serve  in  distinguished  positions  are  John  Henry  Clifford, 
who  was  governor  of  the  State  in  1853  and  also  attorney-general  for 
several  years.  During  his  term  in  the  latter  office  he  conducted  the 
memorable  trial  of  Prof.  John  AV.  Webster  tor  the  murder  of  Dr. 
George  Parkman.  Subsequently  he  declined  appointment  as  minis- 
ter to    Russia   and    Turkev.     George    Marston   served   as  attorney- 

^  CD  ^ 

general  for  several  years,  and  Thomas  D.  Eliot  and  William  W.  Crapo 
served  long  terms  in  Congress.  The  above,  with  the  exception  of 
Mr.  Crapo.  are  now  dead." 

"What  is  that  building  of  brick  and  brown  stone  which  is  so 
prominent  and  so  handsome?"  asked  one  of  the  strangers,  at  this 
point. 


SEEING    THE    SIGHTS. 


"I'm  glad  you  interrupted  me,  sir,  for  I  should  certainly  have 
wearied  3'ou.  That  is  the  new  building  of  the  National  Bank  of 
Commerce,  one  of  the  prosperous  banks  of  this  city.  This  mag- 
nificent edifice  occupies  the  site  of  the  old  Bedford  Commercial  bank, 
which,  I  remember,  was  a  quaint  old  structure  of  brick  and  stone, 
the  windows  of  which  were  fortified  with  heavy  shutters.  A  heavy 
block  tackle  was  used  for  hoisting  up  a  heavy  wooden  trap  door, 
and  a  still  heavier  one  beneath  opened  to  the  steps  that  led  to  the 
subterranean  vaults  where  the  specie  was  kept.  This  iron  door 
was  fastened  by  a  long  tongue-bolt,  running  lengthwise  with  the 
door,  and  drawn  b}^  a  secret  process  in  another  part  of  the  building. 
I  can  see  the  old  cashier  now,  in  his  pepper  and  salt  suit,  his  knee- 
pants,  and  knee  buckles.      Heigh-ho  ! 

"At  the  foot  of  William  street  you  see  the  handsome  granite 
front  building,  with  eight  heavy  pillars,  occupied  on  the  lower  floor 
by  the  Merchants  and  Mechanics  national  banks. 

"The  Board  of  Trade  rooms  are  on  this  street,"  said  the  old 
gentleman,  "and  we  will  look  in  for  a  moment.  They  are  not  pre- 
tentious, as  you  may  see,  but  they  have  been  and  are  the  centre  of 
many  influences  which  have  been  of  much  benefit  to  the  city.  The 
Board  was  organized  on  the  5th  of  March,  1884,  '^^  ^^^  outcome 
of  a  feeling  which  had  existed  for  several  years  that  such  an  organi- 
zation was  needed  in  New  Bedford.  At  first,  it  did  not  include  the 
representatives  of  many  interests  beside  that  of  whaling.  Though 
its  benefits  were  best  in  this  branch  of  our  industries,  it  soon  became 
apparent  that  the  Board  was  not  exerting  the  influence  it  ought  upon 
the  newer  enterprises  of  the  city.  Accordingly,  in  1886,  a  number 
of  the  younger  business  men  took  hold  of  the  organization,  and 
it  has  since  been  an  active  factor  in  promoting  the  growth  and  pros- 
perity of  New  Bedford.  Its  more  than  two  hundred  and  fifty  mem- 
bers represent  every  industry  and  business  in  the  city,  and  their 
combined  efforts  and  influence  have  been  productive  of  manv  valua- 
ble results.  Conspicuous  among  the  enterprises  of  the  Board  was 
its  first  industrial  fair,  held  in  the  autumn  of  1887.  It  was  an  experi- 
ment, and  a  doubtful  one.  But  it  was  a  revelation  to  our  own  people 
of  the  extent  and  variety  of  our  home  manufactures.  Thousands 
of  persons  visited  it,  and  went  away  with  a  higher  opinion  of  their 
city  than  ever  they  had  before.  It  is  asserted  by  men  who  are 
familiar  with   the  facts  that  to   the  influence  of  this   fair  is  due  the 


62  NEW  BEDFORD. 

establish iiK'iit  of  al  least  one  more  cotton  manufacturing  enterprise.* 
The  Board  has  also  interested  itself  in  securing  better  postal  facilities, 
and  in  many  ways  has  been  watchful  for  the  welfare  of  the  city.  Its 
rooms  are  attractive,  without  being  over  fine,  and  afford  a  pleasant 
resort  for  the  members. 

"Walkin<r  south  to  the  corner  of  Water  and  School  streets,  we 
see  an  old-fashioned  square  house  on  a  high  embankment.  The 
house  was  built  for  William  Hathaw^ay  in  1772  and  it  is  not  improb- 
able that  old  knocker  has  often  resounded  through  the  house  in  Revo- 
lutionary times  as  some  of  Mr.  Hathaway's  neighbors  came  to  tell 
him  of  important  news  of  the  War  for  Independence.  The  house  is 
now  known  as  the  Gideon  Rowland  house. 

"And  this  old  house  reminds  me  that  Gideon  Rowland  was  a 
member  of  one  of  the  most  celebrated  of  whaling  firms,  I.  Rowland, 
Jr.,  &  Co.  Re  married  a  daughter  of  the  head  of  the  firm  in  1798, 
at  about  which  time  the  firm  was  organized.  Thomas  Mandell  was 
admitted  a  partner  in  1819..  Gideon  had  two  daughters,  Sylvia  Ann 
and  Abigail.  The  former  died  in  1865,  leaving  a  property  of  about 
$2,000,000.  Among  her  bequests  were  $100,000  towards  the  intro- 
duction of  water  into  the  city,  a  similar  sum  for  educational  and 
literary  purposes,  and  another  large  bequest  for  the  benefit  of  aged 
women  of  the  city.  Abigail  married  Edward  Mott  Robinson,  and 
their  daughter,  Retty  Rowland  Robinson,  married  Edward  Green,  of 
New  York.  She  is  now  reputed  to  be  the  wealthiest  woman  in 
America.  Gideon  Rowland  died  in  1847,  and  within  the  memorv  of 
most  people  now  living  the  firm  consisted  of  Messrs.  Mandell  and 
Robinson  and  Miss  Rowland.  Miss  Robinson  was  the  heir  to 
$5,000,000  from  her  father  and  $1,000,000  from  her  aunt. 

"The  high  towers  which  are  seen  on  many  of  the  old  buildings 

*'rhe  fair  of  1888,  in  progress  while  this  book  was  passing  through  the  press, 
was  even  move  successful  than  that  of  1887.  It  was  held  in  the  Adelphi  rink,  a  large 
building  on  the  corner  of  Count}-  and  Mill  streets,  coujuiencing  on  the  1st  of  October 
and  continuing  four  weeks.  The  lepresentation  of  the  industries  of  the  city  was  very 
coiiii)lete.  some  of  the  more  prominent  being  cotton  manufacturing,  shoe  making, 
glass  working,  and  the  manufacture  of  silver  plated  ware.  Other  industries  showed 
their  finished  products.  Tlie  rink  did  not  allord  sufficient  space  for  the  exhibitors 
who  desired  places,  and  the  managers  were  forced  to  build  a  large  annex  in  Mill 
street,  while  an  adjoining  ward  room  was  also  utilized.  While  the  fair  was  in  pro- 
gress it  was  visited  by  lifty  thousand  persons,  including  hundreds  from  other  places. 
It  is  hoped  that  the  industrial  fair  will  hereafter  be  held  at  regular  intervals. 


RESIDENCE  OF  CHARLES  S.  KELLEY, 


SEEING    THE    SIGHTS.  65 


in  the  vicinity  mark  the  shops  formerly  kept  by  the  outfitters.  Men 
were  constantly  watching  in  these  towers,  in  the  palmy  days  of  whal- 
ing, for  incoming  whaleships,  and  immediately  one  was  sighted  the 
outfitters  would  start  in  their  boat  to  meet  the  ship.  Then  they  would 
run  alongside,  swarm  over  the  rail,  and  solicit  customers.  As  most  of 
the  whalemen  in  those  days  had  good  sums  of  money  coming  to  them 
on  the  settlement  of  the  voyage  and  as  they  spent  it  with  all  the 
freedom  for  which  Jack  is  proverbial,  there  was  always  a  sharp 
rivalry  among  these  agents. 

"Going  still  farther  south  we  reach  the  Portuguese  quarter  of  the 
town.  At  the  windows  are  dusky  women  with  red  bandannas  wound 
fantastically  about  their  heads,  and  the  stores  in  this  section  are  kept 
by  Portuguese.  Some  of  the  older  of  the  inhabitants  found  their  way 
here  on  whaleships  but  many  of  them  have  come  here  from  the 
Western  Islands  by  the  packet  lines,  the  barkentine  Moses  B.  Tower 
making  four  regular  trips  yearly  between  this  city  and  the  islands. 
If  we  were  to  walk  half  a  mile  farther  south,  we  should  come  to  the 
Potomska  and  Acushnet  cotton  mills.  The  only  house  for  religious 
worship  on  this  street  is  the  South  Mission  Chapel,  which  has  done 
an  excellent  work  among  the  sailors  in  the  past  and  is  doing  equally 
excellent  work  in  a  rather  different  line  now." 

"I  should  like  to  have  a  look  at  the  wharves,"  said  one  of  the 
visitors. 

"So  you  shall,"  said  their  guide.  "The  principal  wharves  are 
twenty-five  in  number  and  they  front  upon  one  of  the  most  beautiful 
harbors  in  the  world.  The  pretty  and  pertinentl}'  named  town  of 
Fairhaven  lies  opposite.  A  draw-bridge,  about  four  thousand  feet 
in  length,  connects  the  city  and  town,  and  the  cars  of  the  Union 
Street  Railway  Company  cross  it  at  intervals  of  twenty  minutes.  Let 
us  walk  down  Middle  street  and  over  the  bridge  a  little  wa}-,  that  I  maN- 
let  you  have  what  to  me  is  a  most  charming  view.  The  first  bridge, 
I  may  say,  was  constructed  in  1798  but  was  washed  away  in  1807.  It 
was  rebuilt,  but  was  again  destroyed  in  the  September  gale  of  181 5. 
A  new  bridge  was  constructed  some  four  years  later,  but  it  was 
ruined  in  the  great  September  gale  of  1869.  The  present  bridge 
was  built  soon  after.  Ncnice  these  fishing  stands  at  Irequent  inter- 
vals.    The}'  are  appreciated  bv  tlie  boys  of  all  ages." 

So  the  men  crossed  tlie  bridge  a  distance  and.  turning,  one  could 
not  help  remarking  : 


66  NEW    BEDFORD. 

•'What  a  beautiful  picture  !" 

"I  thought  you  would  be  struck  with  it,"  said  the  old  resident, 
complacendy.  "At  the  extreme  north  is  the  Grinnell  mill.  The 
irroup  1)1'  six  mills  of  stone  and  brick  next  south  are  the  Wamsuttas, 
the  most  celebrated  cotton  mills  in  the  world.  Below  the  bridge 
are  the  immense  coal  pockets  of  the  Philadelphia  &  Reading  Coal  & 
Iron  Compan}^  and  still  further  south  we  see  the  works  of  the  Pair- 
point  Manufacturing  Company,  the  Mount  Washington  Glass  Works, 
and  the  Potomska  and  Acushnet  mills.  The  large  number  of  elm 
trees  add  much  to  the  beauty  of  the  city.  No  city  excels  New  Bed- 
ford in  the  matter  of  shade  trees." 

••The  harbor  is  as  charming  as  the  Bay  of  Naples  !"  exclaimed 
the  gentleman  in  search  of  a  summer  home. 

•'The  river  takes  its  rise  near  the  Middleboro  ponds,"  said  the 
historian,  ••flows  down  by  the  village  of  Acushnet  and  increases  in 
breadth  until  it  empties  into  the  bay.  There  are  several  pretty  islands. 
That  you  see  with  the  lighthouse  is  Palmer's  Island,  picturesque  with 
craggy  rocks  and  scrubby  cedars.  The  little  island  near  Fairhaven 
is  Crow  island.  A  rope  walk  formerly  connected  it  with  the  main 
land  on  the  Fairhaven  side.  The  bridge  crosses  Pope's  and  Fish 
islands.  The  former  retains  some  of  its  primeval  cedars.  Upon  the 
latter  are  wharves,  oil  factories,  and  workshops.  United  States  reve- 
nue schoolship  S.  P.  Chase  lies  alongside  the  dock  here  during  the 
winter  months.  This  little  bark  is  the  training  school  for  the  cadets, 
who  receive  appointments  as  third  lieutenants  in  the  revenue  service 
on  their  graduation. 

"Between  this  island  and  the  New  Bedford  side  is  the  draw- 
bridge. North  of  the  bridge,  on  the  Fairhaven  side,  is  the  rock}'  bluff 
called  the  Isle  of  Marsh,  which,  however,  is  only  insulated  at  high 
water.  At  the  north,  the  spires  of  the  pleasant  little  village  of  Acush- 
net can  be  seen,  while  Fort  Phoenix,  the  old  fortress  which  surmounts 
a  high  rock  on  the  Fairhaven  side,  is  one  of  the  most  picturesque 
spots  on  the  coast.  The  harbor  is  a  favorite  rendezvous  for  yachts 
during  the  summer,  and  the  New  York  club  and  other  great  fleets 
visit  us  almost  annually,  when  on  their  cruises.  The  treatment  which 
they  receive  from  the  home  club,  whose  handsome  club  house  stands 
on  Pope's  island,  and  the  citizens  as  well,  has  made  the  citv  famous 
among  the  bold  Corinthians  for  its  hospitality." 

"What  is  the  depth  of  the  channel  of  the  river?"  inquired  the 


SEEING    THE     SIGHTS.  69 

business  man  of  the  trio,  who  looked  at  the  picture  from  a  practical 
point  of  view. 

"Vessels  drawing  eighteen  feet  of  water  can  enter  the  harbor  at 
mean  low  water  and  it  is  now  proposed  to  excavate  a  channel  two 
hundred  feet  wide  of  greater  depth.  New  Bedford,  by  the  way,  is  a 
port  of  entry,  and  the  amount  of  revenue  collected  during  the  last 
tiscal  year  was  $29,023.28.  We  have  a  regular  line  of  fine  passen- 
ger boats  running  to  Martha's  Vineyard  and  Nantucket  and  also 
steamer  lines  to  New  York  and  Nonquitt,  the  latter  a  new  summer 
resort  on  the  west  side  of  Buzzards  bay  which  is  rapidly  coming  into 
prominence. 

"Under  some  button  wood  trees  on  the  New  Bedford  shore,  near 
this  bridge,  the  first  ship  built  in  the  town  was  launched  in  1767 
She  was  owned  by  Francis  Rotch  and  her  name  was  the  Dartmouth. 
Her  first  voyage  was  made  to  London  with  a  cargo  of  oil.  This 
vessel  was  subsequently  famous  as  being  one  of  the  ships  which  carried 
into  Boston  harbor  the  tea  which  was  thrown  overboard.  Among 
the  earlier  ships  built  was  the  Rebecca,  owned  by  Joseph  Russell  & 
Sons,  which  was  launched  in  the  spring  of  1785.  This  ship  was 
built  by  George  Claghorn,  who  afterwards  built  the  frigate  Consti- 
tution. The  timber  of  which  she  was  built  was  cut  in  the  south- 
west part  of  the  town.  She  measured  175  67-95  tons,  which,  we  are 
told,  was  at  that  time  considered  so  large  that  people  came  from 
Taunton  and  other  surrounding  towns  to  see  '  the  big  ship.'  A 
figurehead  of  a  woman  was  carved  for  her,  but  the  Friends  society 
remonstrated  against  so  vain  and  useless  an  ornament  and  she  went  to 
sea  without  it.  A  mock  funeral  was  held  over  it  by  a  few  gay  young- 
men,  one  or  more  of  them  sons  of  Joseph  Russell,  and  it  was  buried 
in  the  sand  upon  the  shore.  The  command  of  so  large  a  ship  was 
deemed  a  great  responsibility  at  this  time.  James  Hay  den  was  finally- 
selected  as  captain.  She  was  the  first  American  whaleship  that 
doubled  Cape  Horn,  but  she  made  a  disastrous  end.  In  the  autumn 
of  1798  she  sailed  from  Liverpool  for  New  York  and  was  never  heard 
from  afterwards.  Central  wharf,  built  by  Joseph  Russellt  is  the  site 
of  the  original  headquarters  of  the  whale-fishery.  The  story  of 
whaling  in  those  days  borders  on  romance,  and  men  of  iron  nerve 
and  energy  were  required  to  man  these  small  and  poorly-fitted 
vessels. 

"A  good  many  fine  vessels  were  built  here  in  days  gone  by,  and 


70  NEW    BEDFORD. 


I  think  it  was  Mark  Twain  who  makes  one  of  his  characters,  an  old 
salt,  compliment  them  something  in  this  wise.  If  you  heave  down 
one  of  those  'down  east'  vessels,  he  said,  you  can  throw  a  dog 
through  the  seams,  but  take  a  New  Bedford  ship  and  you  can  'heave 
her  down  and  hold  her  there,  and  she'll  never  shed  a  tear.' 

"Now,  the  scene  at  the  wharves  recalls  Walt  Whitman's  lines: 

'On  sluggish,  lonesome,  muddy  waters,  anchored  near  the  shore, 
An  old,  dismasted,  gray,  and  batter'd  ship,  disabled,  done,  and  broken, 
After  free  voyages  to  all  the  seas  of  earth,  hauled  up  at  last  and  hawser'd  tight. 
Lies  rusting,  mouldering.' 

"But  the  old  dismantled  hulks  of  whalers  lying  alongside  the 
docks  are  very  dear  in  the  eyes  of  their  owners,  having  brought 
fortunes  from  the  broad  fields  of  the  ocean,  after  much  toil  and 
manifold  perils.  And,  as  has  been  said,  it  has  been  a  creation 
of  wealth  by  the  skill  of  the  merchant  and  the  hardy  daring  of  the 
sailor,  and  not  a  mere  exchange  of  the  wealth.  Few  parallels  can 
be  found  in  this  or  any  country  of  such  successful  enterprise.  The 
oldest  vessels  in  the  world  today  are  the  Rousseau  and  True  Love  ; 
the  former  now  lies  at  the  wharf  at  the  foot  of  North  street.  Her 
history  is  very  interesting.  She  was  built  for  Stephen  Girard,  of 
Philadelphia,  b}'  Nicholas  Vandusen,  and  was  launched  from  the 
yard  of  the  Vandusens,  near  Shakamaxon  street,  on  the  Delaware, 
in  1801.  She  is  95  feet  long,  28  feet  broad,  and  18  feet  deep,  and 
registers  305  tons.  Her  rig  was  that  of  a  full  rigged  ship  and  at 
the  time  of  her  building  she  was  considered  a  fair  sized  vessel  for 
those  times.  After  doing  service  for  Mr.  Girard  for  several  3'ears, 
her  rig  was  changed  and  she  was  regarded  as  one  of  the  fastest 
barks  sailing  from  Philadelphia.  About  a  year  after  the  death  of 
Girard,  in  the  latter  part  of  183 1,  she  was  purchased  by  the  late 
George  Howland,  of  this  city,  who  was  extensively  engaged  in  the 
whale-fishery  in  the  early  part  of  this  century.  When  the  Rousseau 
arrived  at  this  port  she  had  open  bulwarks  tbrward  of  the  mainmast, 
carrying  orf  either  side  a  spare  spar,  which  lay  in  stout  iron  crutches 
and  which  afforded  the  onl}-  protection  from  the  waves  forward  of 
that  mast.  Abaft  the  mainmast  the  deck  was  raised  a  few  inches. 
She  was  immediately  fitted  for  whaling,  bulwarks  being  put  in  for- 
ward, and  when  she  sailed  on  her  maiden  whaling  voyage  was  in 
command  of  Capt.  Walter    Hillman,    of  Martha's   Vineyard,    and, 


SEEING    THE    SIGHTS. 


73 


it  may  be  added,  the  voyage  was  a  good  one.  Later  a  new  deck 
was  laid  and  it  was  made  flush.  She  was  a  well  built  ship,  con- 
structed of  live  oak  top  entire,  with  white  oak  bottom,  and  when 
her  bottom  was  replanked  some  ten  years  ago,  her  floor  timbers 
were  as  firmh'  on  her  keel  as  when  built.  After  the  death  of  George 
Rowland,  the  vessel  was  continued  in  the  whaling  business  by  his 
sons,  George  and  Matthew  Rowland.  She  made  numerous  good 
voyages  and  about  seven  3'ears  ago  she  was  sold  to  her  present 
owners,  Aikin  &  Swift.  She  arrived  in  port  from  her  last  voyage 
April  8,  1886,  with  thirteen  hundred  and  sixtv  barrels  of  sperm  and 
one  hundred  and  eighty  barrels  of  whale  oil.  Philadelphians  are 
discussing  the  feasibility  of  purchasing  the  old  vessel  and  fitting  her 
as  a  schoolship  for  wayward  youth  as  a  memorial  to  the  great  mer- 
chant, banker,  and  philanthropist. 

."But  our  fleet  is  leaving  us.  One  by  one  they  weigh  anchor 
and  sail  out  on  the  great  deep,  doubling  Cape  Rorn  and  making  San 
Francisco  their  home  port.  Through  the  Golden  Gate  they  pass  on 
hazardous  vo3'ages  to  the  Arctic,  enticed  by  the  alhiring  chances 
of  great  earnings  in  short  periods.     Let  us  hope 

'That  bright  success  maj'  on  their  valoi-  wait, 
And  rich  reward  attend  upon  their  toil." 

"Union  street,  through  which  I  will  take  you  as  we  walk  home 
for  lunch,  was  originally  a  cart  path,  leading  from  the  shore  to  the 
house  of  Joseph  Russell,  the  founder  of  the  city,  which  stood  near 
the  pre&ent  residence  of  the  late  Mrs.  Charles  W.  Morgan,  on 
County  street.  The  Russell  house,  now  about  one  hundred  and  fortv 
years  old,  is  still  in  good  preservation.  It  has  been  moved  from  its 
original  site  and  is  a  tenement  house  on  Emerson  street,  near  Kemp- 
ton.  The  Mansion  Rouse  is  the  old  residence  of  William  Rotcli, 
much  enlarged,  however.  The  old  yellow  house  at  the  northeast 
corner  of  Union  and  Bethel  streets  was  the  old  residence  of  Isaac 
Rowland,  Jr.  I  can  remember  when  the  Eagle  Rotel  occupied  the 
site  of  the  large  brick  building  known  as  Ricketson  Block,  on  the 
southwest  corner  of  Union  and  Fourth  streets,  and  dwelling  houses 
occupied  the  lots  on  which  are  situated  the  Eddy  and  Masonic  build- 
ings,—  both  tine,  large  brick  structures  having  stores  on  the  tirst 
floor.  The  Grand  Opera  Rouse,  on  this  street,  was  remodelled  from 
the  old  Grace  church.     The  interior  of  the  Opera  Rouse  is  planned 


SEEING    THE    SIGHTS.  75 


and  decorated  after  the  style  of  the  Boston  Museum,  and  is  one  of 
the  largest  and  handsomest  theatres  in  New  England.  It  seats  over 
twelve  hundred  persons. 

"Purchase  street  is  now  the  main  business  thoroughfare  and 
here  most  of  the  dry  goods  houses  are  located.  Sixty  years  ago 
there  was  not  a  single  drv  ooods  store  on  Purchase  street  between 
Union  and  Middle  streets.  On  the  east  side  of  the  street  were  dwell- 
ings, and  north  of  these  was  a  garden  extending  to  William  street. 
A  church  occupied  the  land  on  which  Liberty  Hall  is  situated.  In 
1845  William  Bradford,  who  has  since  placed  his  name  among  the 
noted  artists  of  the  world,  conducted  a  dr}^  goods  store  at  No.  i6. 
The  Parker  House,  the  leading  hotel  of  the  city,  is  situated  on  the 
east  side  of  this  street,  between  Elm  and  Middle  streets.  It  is  of 
wood  and  was  at  one  time  the  residence  of  John  Avery  Parker. 
It  was  refitted  and  enlarged  for  a  hotel  in  1841,  and  has  since  ranked 
as  a  first  class  hostelry.  The  other  leading  hotels  of  the  city,  by  the 
way,  the  Mansion  and  Bancroft,  are  both  excellent  houses.  The 
buildings  on  this  street  are  not  pretentious,  for  the  most  part,  but 
there  are  several  large  and  handsome  blocks,  among  them  the 
Cummings,  Liberty  Hall,  and  Wing  buildings." 

Lunch  over,  the  gentlemen  entered  the  carriage  for  a  drive  about 
town.  The  visitors  were  strongly  impressed  with  the  cleanliness  ot 
the  streets,  with  the  superb  elm  shade  trees,  the  sidewalks  of  stone, 
and  the  tastefulness  and  richness  of  many  of  the  public  buildings. 
Among  those  which  were  particularly  admired  were  the  Unitarian 
church  on  Union  street,  built  of  native  granite,  which  is  one  of  the 
finest  specimens  of  architecture  in  the  city.  It  was  built  during  the 
years  1836-38,  and  the  original  cost,  including  land,  was  $40,000. 
The  North  Congregational  church  on  Purchase  street  was  built  at 
about  the  same  time.  It  is  of  native  granite  also,  with  a  frontage  ot 
sixty-eight  feet  and  a  depth  of  ninety  feet.  It  is  of  the  Gothic  order  of 
architecture,  with  square  tower  and  battlements.  The  City  hall,  on 
the  square  included  within  Pleasant,  Sixth,  William,  and  Market 
streets,  is  built  of  native  granite  and  is  a  handsome  and  substantial 
building.  It  was  built  in  the  year  1838-39,  at  a  cost  of  $60,000, 
inclusive  of  land.  Seth  II.  Ingalls,  an  old  resident,  who  was  the 
builder  of  the  Unitarian  church  and  custom  house,  also  erected  this 
building.  It  is  surrounded  by  a  handsome  park.  A  fountain  plays 
in  front  of  the  hall,  and  under  the  old  elms  seats  have  been  placed. 


\  i 
I, 


SEEING    THE    SIGHTS.  77 


The  basement  of  the  hall  was  used  for  many  years  as  a  market. 
Now  a  number  of  the  citv  offices  are  located  here.  On  the  second 
floor  is  a  beautiful  hall  in  which  public  meetings  are  held.  Over  the 
stage  is  a  hue  large  copy  by  William  A.  Wall  of  Stuart's  portrait  of 
Washington.  In  the  third  story  are  the  meeting  rooms  of  the  board 
of  aldermen,  common  council,  and  school  committee. 

The  custom  iiouse  building,  at  the  corner  of  William  and  Second 
streets,  is  a  most  sightly  public  edifice  of  granite.  It  is  after  the 
Doric  style  of  architecture  and  was  built  at  a  cost  of  $31,740,  inclu- 
sive of  land.  On  the  first  floor  is  the  post  office,  and  the  offices  of  the 
customs  department  occup}'  the  second.  The  receipts  of  this  post 
office  are  larger  than  in  most  cities  of  the  size  of  New  Bedford. 
The  government  has  purcliased  land  on  William  street,  from  Second 
street  through  to  Acushnet  avenue,  and  Congress  has  made  an 
appropriation  for  a  new  public  building  for  the  customs  and  post 
office,  work  upon  which  will  soon  be  commenced.  Opposite  the  lot 
designed  for  this  new  buildinir  is  the  edifice  of  the  New  Bedford  Safe 
Deposit  and  Trust  Companv,  which  has  one  of  the  handsomest  bank- 
ing rooms  in  the  city. 

The  city  library  building,  on  William  street,  opposite  City  Hall, 
is  a  beautiful  edifice  of  brick  with  granite  underpinning  and  steps 
and  freestone  ornaments.  It  was  the  first  free  public  library  estab- 
lished under  municipal  sanction.  The  edifice  was  erected  in  1856-57 
and  its  cost  was  about  $40,000.  It  outgrew  its  original  quarters  and 
an  addition  on  the  north  nearly  as  large  as  the  main  building  has 
only  lately  been  constructed. 

"But  a  few  years  after  the  incorporation  of  the  city,"  said  tlie 
old  resident,  resuming  his  reminiscences,  "the  want  of  books  and 
the  inability  of  most  of  the  inhabitants  to  procure  them,  led  to  a  com- 
bination of  effort  for  that  purpose  and  several  such  combinations  were 
formed.  Amona"  the  earliest  to  organize  such  a  scheme  were  the 
proprietors  of  Dobson's  Encyclopedia,  which,  for  the  unlearned  and 
isolated  people  of  these  times,  formed  quite  a  library  in  itself.  The 
well  worn  volumes,  which  are  now  in  the  Free  Public  Library, 
bear  testimouN'  to  the  thoroughness  with  wiiich  its  jiages  were  read 
and  consulted. 

"But  the  desire  for  books  outgrew  the  set  of  encyclopedias,  and 
the  Library  Society  and  Social  Library  followed.  Then  the  three 
societies  were  united    under  the   name  of  the    New   Bedtord  Social 


78 


NEW     BEDFORD. 


Library.  For  nearly  a  half  century  this  collection  of  books  was  the 
principal  source  whence  was  supplied  the  desire  of  the  people  for 
knowledge  and  intellectual  recreation,  and  it  was  a  feature  in  mould- 
ing the  characters  of  the  young  men  and  women  of  that  day. 

"May  24,  185 1,  an  act  was  passed  by  the  General  Court  of 
Massachusetts,  authorizing  cities  and  towns  to  establish  and  main- 
tain public  libraries.  Forty-five  days  after  the  passage  of  the 
enabling  act,  Warren  Ladd,  who  was  at  that  time  a  member  of  the 
common  council,  introduced  an  order  to  consider  the  expediency 
of  adopting  the  measure.     The  order  passed    the    popular    branch 


FREE  PUBLIC  LIBRARY. 

unanimously.,  but  the  aldermen  non-concurred.  Earl}-  in  the  follow- 
ing year  a  large  petition,  headed  by  James  B.  Congdon,  was  presented 
to  the  council,  requesting  the  adoption  of  the  act.  The  committee 
on  public  instruction,  to  which  the  matter  was  referred,  reported 
recommending  an  appropriation  of  $1500  tor  the  establishment  of  the 
library.  In  its  report  the  committee  stated  that  it  had  been  assured 
that  "provided  the  authorities  should,  by  the  passage  of  the  order 
making  the  appropriation  asked  for,  establish  the  principle  that  the 
maintenance  of  a  free  cit}-  library  for  the  continuous  education  of  the 
people  will  be  the  settled  policy  of  the  cit}',"  the  five  thousand  vol- 
umes of  the  New  Bedford  Social  Library  would  be  transferred  to 
the  citv. 


SEEING    THE    SIGHTS. 


"But  meanwhile,  before  the  presentation  of  the  report,  the  appro- 
priation bill  for  the  year  had  passed,  containing  an  appropriation  of 
$1500  for  the  library.  This  appropriation  bill  was  adopted  July  20, 
1852,  and  the  date  of  its  adoption  is  the  date  of  the  establishment  of 
the  New  Bedford  Free  Public  Library.  This  was  the  only  public 
library  established  under  the  law  of  185 1,  excepting  that  in  Boston. 
The  delivery  of  books  commenced  on  Thursday,  March  3,  1853. 
The  number  of  volumes  at  the  opening  was  between  five  thousand 
and  six  thousand,  and  the  number  has  now  increased  to  over  fifty 
thousand  volumes,  selected  mainly  with  a  view  to  the  needs  and 
desires  of  the  reading  public  of  New  Bedford,  but  comprising  not  a 
few  books  of  rarity  and  great  value.  The  librarian  has  gi,ven  especial 
attention  to  the  department  of  local  history,  including  not  merely  that 
of  this  city,  but  embracing  that  of  the  surrounding  towns.  The  files 
of  local  newspapers  are  very  complete,  while  all  books  and  pamphlets 
having  even  the  slightest  bearing  on  our  local  history  are  carefully 
preserved  and  classified.  The  reading  room  is  an  interesting  place. 
Here,  on  several  long  tables  surrounded  by  many  easy  chairs,  are  all 
the  leading  periodicals  of  the  day,  American  and  foreign,  with  some, 
of  which,  I  venture  to  say,  you  have  never  heard.  On  neat  racks 
along  the  side  of  the  room  are  files  of  such  newspapers  as  are  most 
likelv  to  interest  the  people  of  this  city,  and  in  a  corner  is  a  large 
book  case,  full  of  the  latest  and  most  valuable  books  of  reference. 
They  range  from  the  Encyclopasdia  Britannica,  through  the  field  of 
dictionaries,  gazetteers,  and  directories,  to  the  United  Slates  Dispen- 
satory and  the  Tribune  Almanac.  All  these  books,  newspapers,  and 
magazines  are  accessible  to  the  public,  witliout  the  interventi(^n  of 
the  librarian  or  any  assistant,  and  it  speaks  well  for  the  appreciation 
in  wiiich  the  library  is  held  that  the  privilege  is  rarely  abused. 
During  the  thirty-six  years  that  the  library  has  been  open,  two 
periodicals  have  been  mutilated  and  a  few  pencil-marked.  None 
have  been  lost. 

"  Robert  C.  Ingraham  was  the  first  librarian  and  has  olliciated 
in  that  capacity  to  the  present  time,  a  period  ot  thirt}-six  years. 
Much  of  the  success  of  the  library  is  due  to  his  zeal  and  intelligence. 
The  library  has  grown  under  his  care  to  be  one  of  the  best  free  pub- 
lic libraries  in  the  country.  Me  knows  it  thoroughly  and  his  vast  store 
of  information  concerning  its  contents  is  freely  placed  at  the  disposal 
of  the  seeker  for  knowledge  or  recreation  among  its  volumes.      Four 


SEEING    THE    SIGHTS.  83 


assistants  are  required  to  do  the  work  of  the  library.  In  the  year 
1887,  the  latest  for  which  statistics  are  av^ailable,  forty-two  thousand 
six  hundred  fifty-seven  volumes  were  taken  out;  this  was  a  decrease 
from  the  number  of  deliveries  of  the  preceding  year,  and  it  is 
accounted  for  by  the  facts  that  for  some  months  the  library  was  closed 
for  repairs  and  alterations  and  that  the  delivery  of  works  of  fiction 
was  suspended  for  the  purpose  of  preparing  and  printing  a  new  cat- 
alogue. 

"A  number  of  trust  funds  have  been  established  for  the  benefit 
of  the  library.  The  first  was  that  of  George  Howland,  Jr.,  its  amount, 
ipi6oo,  being  the  amount  of  his  salary  as  mayor  for  two  years.  The 
second  constitutes  the  Charles  W.  Morgan  fund  and  its  amount  is 
$1000.  Then  there  is  the  Oliver  Crocker  fund  of  $1000.  the  James 
B.  Congdon  fund  of  $500,  and  the  George  O.  Crocker  fund  of 
$10,000. 

"The  chief  dependence  of  the  trustees,  however,  for  additions 
to  the  library,  is  the  bequest  of  Sylvia  Ann  Howland,  $50,000  of 
which  was  set  apart  for  the  library,  the  annual  income  from  which  is 
about  $3000.  During  the  delay  which  attended  the  ligitalion  upon 
the  will  (.)t  the  deceased,  the  funds  of  the  estate  largely  increased, 
and  in  addition  to  the  bequest  which  constitutes  the  fund,  about 
$10,000  was  paid  into  the  treasury  of  the  city  as  interest  or  income, 
and  placed  to  the  credit  of  the  library.  The  appropriation  b\'  the 
city  barely  suffices  for  salaries  and  other  e.\[)enses."' 

Within  this  elegant  building,  on  a  large  marble  tablet,  we  road 
this  noble  testimony  : 

•^  This  tablet  coiinneiiioriiU's  the  enlighteiu'il  liberality  ol  Sylvia  Ami  Howland, 
who  bestowed  upon  the  city  of  Xew  Bedford  the  sum  of  two  liimdrcil  tliousaiid  dol- 
lars;  one  Imiidred  thousand  to  aid  in  supplyin*;'  tlie  eity  with  pun'  water:  and  one 
hundred  tliousand  as  a  fund  for  the  promotion  of  liberal  education  l)y  tlie  enlariie- 
nipnt  of  tlie  Free  Pu])lic  Fabrary,  and  l)y  (extending  to  the  children  and  yonib  id  tbe 
city  tbe  means  of  a  wider  and  more  o;enerous  culluic" 

She  died  in  1865. 

In  one  of  the  ante-rooms  are  a  number  ol  piiotographs  ol  the 
handsome  residences  of  the  city  and  also  several  portraits,  among 
them  a  rude  unfinished  picture  of  William  Rotch,  to  whom  a  large 
share  of  New  Bedford's  business  prosperity  is  due,  by  an  artist  named 
Huckley.  In  the  main  library  room  hang  pt)rtraits  of  George  How- 
land, Jr.,  by  Wilson,  and  of  James  B.   Congdon  by   Eaton.     There 


NORTH  CONGREGATIONAL  CHURCH. 


SEEING    THE     SIGHTS.  85 


are  also  engravings  from  some  of  the  celebrated  paintings  of  the 
Yosemite,  by  Albert  Bierstadt,  who  was  once  a  photographer  in 
New  Bedford. 

The  library  occupies  the  second  floor  of  the  building.  On  the 
first  floor  are  the  offices  of  the  mayor,  city  clerk,  city  treasurer,  city 
auditor,  superintendent  of  streets,  and  board  of  assessors. 

The  passenger  station  of  the  Old  Colony  railroad,  situated  east 
of  Acushnet  avenue,  between  Willis  and  Pearl  streets,  is  one  of  the 
attractive  buildings  of  the  cit}'.  Its  architecture  is  Romanesque. 
The  building  is  159.3  by  37.8  feet  in  area,  with  walls  of  red  face 
brick  and  trimmings  of  brown  kibbe,  rock-faced  with  round  crandled 
corners,  and  the  roofs  are  covered  with  copper-green  slate.  The 
foundation  is  built  on  piles  and  large  square  blocks  of  granite  laid  in 
cement  mortar.  The  river  is  on  the  east  and  there  is  a  pretty  view 
of  Oxford  village  opposite.  On  the  west  is  a  large  and  handsome 
lawn,  bordered  \\'ith  trees  and  dotted  with  flowerbeds.  The  interior 
is  finished  with  Philadelphia  face  brick  dadoes,  ^.6  feet  in  height  with 
moulded  cap.  The  walls  are  sheathed  with  moulded  sheathing  of 
brown  ash  and  above  the  vertical  sheathing  is  a  plain  frieze  with  a 
cornice  ot  the  same  wood.  The  cases,  desks,  and  the  waitino-  room 
seats  are  of  tiie  same  wood,  the  latter  being  very  heavy  and  low,  with 
carvings  on  the  arms.  The  chandeliers,  fire  dogs,  and  brackets 
supporting  the  passengers'  writing  desks  are  of  wrought  iron,  unique 
in  design.  There  are  open  fire  places,  with  tiled  hearths,  raised 
stone  curbing,  and  large  carved  stone  lintels. 

The  Grace  and  St.  James  churches  (Episcopal),  on  Count\- 
street,  are  each  of  brick  and  stone  and  are  two  of  tiie  Hnest  exam- 
ples of  intelligent  architecture  in  the  city.  The  former  was  com- 
pleted in  1881,  has  a  seating  capacity  for  six  hundred  people,  and 
cost  $47,000.  In  the  tower  is  a  chime  of  bells,  ten  in  number, 
weighing  over  eleven  thousand  pounds,  the  gift  of  Stephen  G.  Dris- 
col.  These  were  rung  for  the  first  time  on  Christmas  eve,  1882. 
St.  Lawrence  church,  on  County  street,  is  a  stately  granite  edifice, 
built  in  1870.  The  tower  has  recently  been  carried  to  a  heiglit 
of  one  hundred  feet,  and,  beinir  situated  on  the  highest  ground  in  the 
city,  is  a  prominent  feature.  Among  other  notable  church  edifices 
are  the  North  Christian  church  on  Purchase  street,  built  in  1833  ' 
the  Trinitarian  church  on  Fourth  street,  built  in  1832  :  the  William 
street   Baptist    church,   completed  in    1829  and  since  enlarged   and 


86  NEW    BEDFORD. 

partially  rebuilt;  the  Pleasant  street  Methodist  church,  dedicated  in 
1849;  the  church  of  the  Sacred  Heart  (French  Catholic)  ;  and  the 
church  of  St.  John  the  Baptist  (Portuguese  Catholic).  These  latter 
are  all  of  wood.  The  County  street  Methodist  cluirch,  a  brick 
edifice  built  in  1859,  is  one  of  the  handsomest  church  buildings  in  the 
city.  The  Seamen's  Bethel,  on  Bethel  street,  designed  to  promote 
the  interests  of  seamen,  was  built  about  1831.  With  it  is  connected 
a  home  for  mariners.  Both  were  erected  by  the  Port  Society.  The 
Friends  meeting  house,  on  Spring  street,  is  an  unostentatious  square 
structure  of  brick  and  the  fitting  of  the  interior  is  severely  plain. 
The  Friends,  by  the  way,  built  the  first  meeting  house  for  religious 
worship  erected  in  this  city. 

The  Trinitarian  Church  Home,  opposite  the  Trinitarian  church 
on  Fourth  street,  attracts  the  attention  of  all  visitors  to  the  city  who 
are  interested  in  religious  efibrt,  lor  its  peculiar  adaptation  to  the 
social  phases  of  church  work.  It  serves  the  purposes  of  a  chapel, 
and  its  audience  room  on  the  second  floor  is  a  model  Sunday  school 
room.  On  the  lower  floor  and  in  the  basement  are  the  parlor,  supper 
room,  and  kitchen.  Externally,  the  building,  constructed  of  brick 
and  wood,  is  of  attractive  appearance,  and  realizes  the  idea  of  a 
"  church  home." 

"A  long  line  of  famous  ministers  has  filled  our  pulpits,"  said 
the  historian,  "and  among  them  I  recall  Dr.  Samuel  West,  who 
preached  at  the  Head  of  the  River  from  1761  to  1803,  George  L. 
Prentiss,  Moses  How,  Orville  Dewey,  Ralph  Waldo  Emerson,  Dr. 
Ephraim  Peabody,  J.  H.  Morisson,  John  Weiss,  Wheelock  Craig, 
William  S.  Studley,  and  Mark  Trafton."' 

The  visitors  were  particularly  struck  with  the  handsome  school 
buildings,  among  them  the  High  school,  a  model  edifice  of  imposing 
proportions,  occupying  an  entire  block  of  land,  with  an  area  of 
about  three-fourths  of  an  acre,  bounded  by  Summer,  Mill.  Chestnut, 
and  North  streets,  a  high  and  commanding  situation,  and  from  a 
distance  one  of  the  most  prominent  objects  in  the  citv.  The  build- 
ing is  of  brick,  with  Amherst  (Ohio)  freestone  trimmings  and  under- 
pinning, and  basement  window  sills  of  Rockport  granite.  It  is  three 
stories  high,  with  a  flat  topped  hiproof.  The  fronton  Summer  street 
is  ninety -five  feet  and  the  width  ninety-two  feet.  The  Summer  street 
entrance  is  under  a  projecting  portico  twenty-one  by  fifteen  feet  and 
over  the  centre  front  are  a  tower  and  spire.     Strangers  to  the  city 


RESIDENCE  OF  EBEN  C.  MILLIKEN. 


SEEING    THE    SIGHTS. 


89 


should  know  that  the  view  from  the  tower  is  extensive  and 
Thompson,  Fifth,  Parker, 
Acushnet  avenue,  Maxfield, 
and  Cedar  Grove  street  school 
houses  are  all  of  brick  and 
would  ornament  any  city. 
The  new  Harrington  school 
house,  named  in  honor  of 
Henry  F.  Harrington,  for 
many  years  the  beloved  sup- 
erintendent    of    schools,     is 


fine.    The 


o 


considered  a  good 
specimen  of  the 
best  class  of  school 
architecture. 

There  are 
th  ree  parochial 
schools,  two  of 
w  h  i  c  h  are  con- 
nected with  the 
Irish  Catholic 
parishes  and  one 
with  the  French 
Catholic    parish 

of  the  city.     The  buildings    are    of  brick,  three   stories    in  height, 

and  are  well  proportioned  edifices. 


90 


NEW     BEDFORD. 


Friends' academy,  located  between  Morgan  and  Elm  streets,  west 
of  County,  is  a  sightly  building  of  brick  with  a  tower.  This  build- 
ing was  dedicated  in  1857,  but  was  subsequently  enlarged  and  remod- 
elled. It  may  be  of  interest  and  not  generally  known,  that  the  old 
school  house  erected  by  William  Rotch  in  1810  was  sawn  in  two  and 
forms  two  dwelling  houses,  which  are  located  on  Elm  street,  west  of 
the  present  school  house.  The  old  portico  is  an  outbuilding  on  the 
premises  of  one. 

There  are  unusually  good  facilities,  the  visitors  were  told,  for 
police  and  fire  protection.  The  police  department  numbers  sixty-three 
officers  and  employes,  as  follows:  One  chief,  two  captains,  six 
lieutenants,  forty-seven  patrolmen,  five  housekeepers,  one  janitor, 
and  one  matron.  There  are  six  stations  and  a  lockup  for  women. 
The  total  number  of  arrests  in  1887  was  ten  hundred  ninety-three, 
and  the  annual  cost  in  round  numbers  to  maintain  this  branch  of  the 
city's  business  is  $50,000. 

The  fire  department  has  five  fine  brick  engine  houses  and  a 
ladder  and  hose  house,  six  steam  fire  engines  —  five  in  commission 
and  one  in  reserve — ready  for  immediate  use,  one  aerial  hook  and 
ladder  truck,  two  ordinary  hook  and  ladder  trucks, —  one  in  reserve, — 
four  two-wheeled  and  five  four-wheeled  hose  carriages,  one  still 
alarm  wagon,  three  sleigh-reels,  six  exercise  and  coal  wagons,  one 
telegraph  wagon,  and  three  sleigh  reels.  There  are  over  twenty  horses 
belonging  to  the  department.  The  force  consists  of  one  chief,  four 
assistant  engineers  and  clerks,  thirteen  men  permanently  emplo3'ed, 
and  one  hundred  thirty-two  call  members,  making  a  total  of  one  hun- 
dred fifty-one  men.  Hydrants  are  established  at  every  point  where 
they  are  needed,  and  to  which  the  water  mains  extend.  In  the  fire 
alarm  system  there  are  fifty-four  signal  boxes  and  twenty-five  miles 
of  wire  ;  eight  bell  strikers,  eight  fifteen-inch  engine  house  gongs, 
seven  seven-inch  engineers'  gongs,  and  three  small  tappers,  operated 
by  a  battery  of  one  hundred  forty-seven  cups.  The  total  cost  of  the 
department  yearly  is  about  $30,000,  and  the  value  of  the  property  in 
the  department  will  approximate  $125,000.  Something  of  the  eftec- 
tiveness  of  the  department  can  be  seen  by  the  following  figures  of 
losses  for  the  past  ten  years  :  1877,  $26,063.66  :  1878,  $28,154.46  ; 
1879,  $9,163.16;  1880,  $7,609.13;  1881,  $26,624.96;  1882, 
$23,169.64;  1883,  $17,398.14;  1884,  $134,729.82;  1885,  $6,982.41  ; 
1886,  $26,786.03;   1887,  $45,141.50.      Connected  with  this  depart- 


SEEING    THE    SIGHTS.  93 


ment  is  a  Protecting  Society  of  seventy-five  members,  which  has 
done  excellent  work  in  past  years. 

The  house  of  correction  for  the  county,  and  the  jail,  are  located 
here.  A  new  prison  building  has  just  been  completed,  fronting  on  Ash 
street  and  extending  from  Union  to  Court  streets,  with  a  wing  running 
easterly.  The  cost  of  the  new  prison  building  was  over  $80,000. 
It  is  provided  with  two  hundred  eighty-seven  cells  and  is  considered 
the  finest  prison  building  in  the  state.  Advantage  has  been  taken  of 
all  the  modern  improvements  in  prisons,  the  cells  are  large  and  par- 
ticular care  has  been  given  to  ventilation.  The  long  term  prisoners 
here  are  employed  in  making  shoes  and  a  new  factory  for  this  pur- 
pose has  recently  been  built. 

The  city  common  was  pointed  out.  This  beautiful  spot  is  in  the 
north  part  of  the  city  and  is  bounded  by  County,  Purchase,  Pope,  and 
Pearl  streets.  The  Soldiers  and  Sailors  monument,  a  tasteful  and 
appropriate  structure,  erected  by  the  city  at  a  cost  of  about  $13,000, 
as  a  memorial  to  those  who  lost  their  lives  during  the  War  of  the 
Rebellion,  occupies  a  prominent  situation  here.  It  was  designed  and 
contracted  for  by  George  F.  Meacham  of  Boston,  and  the  inscriptions 
upon  its  base  are  as  follows  : 

North  side. 

"Navy." 

East  side. 

"Erected  by  the  City  of  New  Bedford,  as  a  tribute  of  gratitude 
to  her  sons  who  fell  defending  their  Country  in  its  struggle  with 
Slavery  and  Treason." 

South  side. 

"Army." 

West  side. 

"Dedicated  July  4,  1866." 

Two  of  the  cemeteries,  the  Rural  in  the  southwest  part  of  the 
city,  and  the  Oak  Grove  in  the  west  part,  are  retired  and  lovely  spots. 
Nature  has  been  lavish  of  her  gifts,  and  good  taste  and  a  liberal 
expenditure  of  money  has  added  to  the  beauty  of  these  final  resting 
places  for  the  departed. 

As  they  rode  along,  the  old  resident  called  the  attention  of  his 


94 


NEW    BEDFORD. 


guests  to  the  elaborate  system  of  drainage  which  the  ebbing  and 
flowing  tides  make  perfect  and  efficient ;  and  also  to  the  exxellent  city 
waterworks,  constructed  in  1867-69,  and  which  cost  about  $1,200,000. 

"Thirty  years  ago  it  was  an  exceedingly  difficult  matter  to  obtain 
a  water  suitable  for  supplying  steam  engine  and  other  mechanical 
purposes  within  our  city  limits,"  said  the  old  resident  guide.  "Few 
cities  were  then  so  poorly  provided  for  in  this  respect.  At  that  time 
it  was  a  busy  community.  It  was  reaping  the  profitable  harvest  of 
the  whale-fishery  and  the  general  appearance  was  one  of  prosperity. 
No  one  will  probably  ever  know  how  much  its  interests  actually  suf- 
fered for  lack  of  the  numerous  advantages  accruing  from  an  ample 
supply  of  pure  water,  but  that  they  did  sufi^er  there  can  be  no  doubt. 

"Public  water  works  were  not  the  popular  institutions  in  those 
days  that  they  have  since  become,  and  although  the  project  of  intro- 
ducing water  was  often  agitated,  it  was  at  first  frowned  upon  by  a 
large  majority  of  the  citizens.  But  as  the  question  was  more  fre- 
quently discussed,  and  the  many  blessings  which  an  abundant  supply 
would  bring  to  our  city  were  pointed  out,  the  demand  for  trustworthy 
information  on  this  subject  became  more  general. 

"The  first  definite  movement  took  form  on  March  8th,  i860, 
when  an  order  passed  both  branches  of  the  city  government  directing 
that  a  joint  special  committee  be  appointed  to  fully  consider  the  ques- 
tion and  to  report  some  plan,  together  with  the  probable  cost.  The 
period  from  i860  to  1865  was  occupied  in  the  examination  of  different 
schemes  presented,  by  which  this  important  problem  could  be  solved. 
These  investigations  were  conducted  by  joint  committees  of  the  city 
government  appointed  each  year.  Capt.  Charles  H.  Bigelow,  the 
engineer  in  charge  of  the  construction  of  the  fort  at  Clark's  point, 
together  with  George  A.  Briggs,  then  city  surveyor,  and  William  F. 
Durfee,  civil  engineer,  were  the  first  to  make  surveys  and  estimates  of 
the  various  sources  of  supph'. 

"The  advantages  of  the  head  waters  of  the  Acushnet  river  as  a 
source  of  suppU'  were  soon  apparent,  and  this  conclusion  was  endorsed 
b}'  William  J.  Mcx\lpine,  the  eminent  hj^draulic  engineer,  whose 
counsel  was  sought  in  1865.  During  this  period  Prof.  George  I. 
Chase,  of  Brown  University',  had  made  several  chemical  examinations 
of  samples  taken  from  the  Acushnet  and  declared  it  to  be  a  water  of 
remarkable  purity. 

"The  usual  form  of  enactment  w-as  passed  by  the  legislature  April 


SEEING    THE    SIGHTS.  97 


18,  1863,  and  was  accepted  by  the  city  on  April  14,  1864.  Three 
constructing  corrimissioners,  Messrs.  William  W.  Crapo,  Warren 
Ladd,  and  David  B.  Kempton,  were  appointed  November  30, 
1865.  These  gentlemen,  together  with  George  A.  Briggs  as  chief 
engineer,  and  William  J.  McAlpine  as  consulting  engineer,  began 
at  once  with  the  construction  of  the  present  system  of  water  works. 
This  work  was  vigorously  continued  and  water  was  first  introduced 
into  the  city  in  December,  1869." 

The  source  of  supply  is  from  a  storing  reservoir  artificially 
formed  by  constructing  a  dam  across  the  valley  of  the  Acushnet, 
about  seven  miles  north  of  the  centre  of  the  city.  The  area  of 
water  shed  above  the  dam  is  thirty-three  thousand  acres  ;  the  area  of 
water  surface  of  reservoir  is  three  hundred  acres  ;  capacity  of  reser- 
voir when  full  is  four  hundred  million  ijallons.  The  elevation  of  the 
iull  reservoir  is  forty  feet  plus  the  tide  in  New  Bedford  harbor.  In 
1886  a  canal  was  dug  permitting  an  auxiliary  supply  to  the  storing 
reservoir  from  Little  Q^iittacas  pond.  This  pond  has  a  surface  area 
of  three  hundred  twenty  acres  and  is  one  of  the  great  chain  known 
as  the  Middleboro  ponds,  and  whose  drainage  area  is  estimated  at 
thirty-five  thousand  acres.  The  elevation  of  the  water  surface  of 
this  pond  is  ten  feet  above  that  of  the  storing  reservoir.  Little  Q^iit- 
tacas  pond  is  located  northerly  from  the  storing  reservoir,  about  two 
and  a  half  miles  distant  from  its  northern  borders,  and  twelve  miles 
distant  from  New  Bedford.  From  the  dam  at  the  storing  reservoir  the 
water  flows  by  gravity  through  a  single  ring  brick  conduit.  This 
conduit  is  in  form  of  an  tgg  shape  oval.  Its  interior  diameters  are 
three  and  tour  feet,  the  lower  end  being  a  circle  of  three  feet  diameter. 
Its  length  is  five  and  five-eighths  miles.  There  are  three  overflows 
upon  this  line  of  conduit  for  the  discharge  of  surplus  water.  The 
grade  is  six  inches  to  the  mile.  The  outlet  to  the  conduit  is  into  the 
receiving  reservoir.  When  filled,  the  water  has  a  depth  of  twelve  feet, 
and  its  elevation  is  thirt}^  feet  plus  tide.  The  capacity  of  the  reservoir 
is  three  million  gallons.  The  pumping  station  is  situated  about  two 
hundred  seventy  feet  west  of  the  receiving  reservoir  and  the  water  is 
conducted  to  the  pump  wells  through  cast  iron  pipes  tbrty-two  inches 
in  diameter.  As  an  alternative,  a  supplv  mav  be  obtained  at  the  jiump 
wells  directly  from  the  conduit  through  a  pipe  ihirty-six  inclies  in 
diameter  laid  around  outside  the  banks  of  the  receiving  reservoir. 
From  the  pump  wells  the  water  is  raised  a  height  of  one  hundred 


98 


NIJW    BEDFORD. 


twenty-four  feet  to  the  distributing  reservoir.  The  distributing  reser- 
voir has  a  capacity  of  fifteen  million  gallons  when  filled.  The  water 
has  a  depth  of  seventeen  feet  and  its  surface  is  at  an  elevation  of  one 
hundred  lifty-four  feet  plus  the  tide.  In  1873  a  stand  pipe  was  erected 
near  the  distributing  reservoir  for  use  at  times  when  it  was  necessary 
to  emptv  the  reservoir  for  repairs.  Its  internal  diameter  is  five  feet 
and  the  elevation  of  its  top  is  one  hundred  ninety-seven  feet  plus  tide. 
In  1884-85.  the  pumping  facilities  were  remodelled  and  enlarged 
from  plans  prepared  by  the  present  superintendent,  Mr.  R.  C.  P. 
Coggeshall.     This    work  involved  the  building  of  two    new    pump 


PUMPING  STATION,  NEW  BEDFORD  WATER  WORKS. 


wells  with  the  necessary  connections,  an  addition  to  the  engine  house, 
and  a  new  force  main.  There  are  three  pumping  engines  which 
have  a  total  capacit}^  of  pumping  fifteen  million  gallons  in  twenty- 
four  hours.  Engine  No.  i  was  designed  by  William  J.  Mc/\lpine, 
C.  E.,  and  was  built  by  the  Qiiintard  Iron  Works  of  New  York. 
It  is  a  vertical  beam  condensing  engine  with  two  vertical,  bucket  and 
plunger  pumps.  Its  general  dimensions  are  :  Steam  C3'linder,  38 
inches  diameter;  stroke,  8  feet;  beam,  26  feet  long;  fi}-  wheel,  16 
feet  in  diameter.  The  pumps  are  placed  one  each  side  of  the  beam 
center.      Diameter  of  the  pumps,  28  inches  ;   stroke,  4  feet  8  inches. 


SEEING    THE     SIGHTS.  •  lOI 


The  beam  is  supported  by  a  cast  iron  hollow  column  which  serves  as 
an  air  chamber.  The  pumps  of  this  engine  were  originally  single 
acting,  but  they  were  remodelled  as  above  in  1886.  This  engine 
now  has  a  capacitv  of  six  million  gallons  in  twenty-four  hours. 
Engine  No.  2  was  erected  in  1874  ^""^  ^^^  built  by  Henry  R. 
Worthington  of  New  York.  It  is  of  the  well  known  compound 
duplex  pattern  made  by  that  firm.  The  principal  dimensions  are  as 
follows  :  High  pressure  steam  cylinders,  twenty-one  inches  diameter. 
Low  pressure  steam  cylinders,  thirty-six  and  seven  eighths  inches 
diameter.  Length  of  stroke,  thirty-six  inches.  Water  plungers,  sev- 
enteen and  one-half  inches  diameter.  This  engine  has  a  capacity 
of  four  million  gallons  in  twenty-four  hours.  Engine  No.  3  was 
erected  in  1886.  This  engine  is  essentially  the  same  as  the  well 
known  type  so  extensively  used  throughout  the  country,  with  the 
addition  of  a  device  known  as  the  high  duty  attachment,  which  allows 
the  steam  to  be  used  expansively,  and  by  which  greatly  increased 
economy  in  the  running  of  the  engine  has  been  secured.  The  prin- 
cipal dimensions  are  as  follows  :  Diameter  high  pressure  cylinder, 
eighteen  inches.  Diameter  low  pressure  cylinder,  thirty-six  inches. 
Diameter  of  plungers,  twenty-four  inches.  Stroke,  twenty-six  inches. 
This  engine  has  a  capacity  of  five  million  gallons  in  twenty-four  hours. 
For  the  supply  of  the  engines  there  are  six  boilers,  four  being  hori- 
zontal tubular  boilers  eighteen  feet  long,  six  feet  diameter,  and  two 
being  upright,  thirteen  feet  seven  inches  long  and  sixty-four  inches 
diameter.  There  are  two  force  mains  connecting  the  pumps  with 
the  distributing  reservoir,  one  thirty  inch  diameter,  one  sixteen  inch 
diameter.  The  engines  may  pump  through  either  at  discretion. 
The  force  mains  are  also  connected  with  the  distributing  system  so 
that  the  suppl}'  may  be  maintained  by  direct  pumping.  The  distribut- 
ing mains  are  partly  of  cast  iron  and  partly  wrought  iron.  There 
are  fifty-four  and  one-third  miles  of  pipes  in  use,  ranging  from  thirty 
inches  to  four  inches  in  diameter.  Of  this  length  about  nine  and  one 
half  miles  are  of  wrought  iron  cement  lined  pipe,  the  rest  being  of 
cast  iron.  There  are  also  several  short  lengths  of  smaller  distribu- 
tion pipes  ranging  in  size  from  one  to  four  inches,  of  which  the  total 
length  is  five  thousand  eight  hundred  twelve  feet. 

December  i,  1887,  there  were  in  use  five  hundred  forty-seven 
stop  gates,  four  hundred  ten  fire  hydrants,  five  thousand  four  hun- 
dred   ninety-five    taps    for    domestic    supply,    forty-two    meters    for 


I02 


NEW    BEDFORD. 


manufacturing  purposes,  sixty  meters  for  domestic  purposes,  and 
twenty-eight  motors.  The  average  daily  consumption  during  the 
year  1887  was  three  million  forty-seven  thousand  four  hundred  four 
gallons.  The  estimated  total  population  was  thirty-six  thousand,  and 
of  this  number  thirty  thousand  eighty  were  supplied.  This  is  at  the 
rate  of  one  hundred  one  gallons  per  day  to  each  consumer,  or  five 
hundred  fift3^-live  gallons  per  day  to  each  tap. 

The  cost  of  the  works  to  December  i,  1887,  was  $1,298,460.76. 
The  bonded  indebtedness  is  $690,000.  The  works  are  controlled  by 
a  board  of  five  members  who  report  to  the  city  council.  The  super- 
intendents have  been  the  following  persons:     To  187 1,  George  A. 


SWAIN   FREE  SCHOOL. 

Briggs  ;  1871-72,  Israel  C.  Cornish;  1872-77,  George  B.  Wheeler; 
1877-81,  William  B.  Sherman;  1881  to  date,  Robert  C.  P.  Cogges- 
hall.  Hon.  James  B.  Congdon  acted  as  clerk  of  tiie  board  from  the 
the  commencement  until  1879,  since  which  time  the  position  has  been 
filled  by  the  superintendent.  The  water  rates  here  are  lower  than 
in  any  other  city  in  the  United  States,  ranging  from  $2.50  a  year 
for  a  single  faucet  in  a  dwelling  house  to  two  and  one-half  cents  a 
thousand  gallons  for  manufacturing  purposes. 

"Our  public  schools,"'  resumed  the  old  resident,  plunging  into  a 
new  subject,  "were  the  pioneers  in  the  practical  exemplification  of  the 
methods  of  instruction  which  now  prevail."     In  1821,  notwithstanding 


SEEING    THE    SIGHTS.  IO5 


the  fact  that  the  wealth  of  the  town  was  intensely  hostile  to  the  move- 
ment, it  was  voted  to  appropriate  $1200  for  the  establishment  of  a 
regular  system  of  public  schools,  in  conformity  to  the  laws  of  the 
commonwealth.  Prior  to  that  time  there  was  a  free  school  supported 
at  public  expense.  It  was  intended  for  the  poor  alone,  and,  as  James 
B.  Congdon  pnce  remarked,  "was  in  every  sense  a  -poor  school."  A 
movement  for  the  establishment  of  a  high  school  a  few  years  after- 
wards, excited  acrimonious  hostility,  but  finally  the  opposition  gave 
way  and  from  that  time  forward,  the  schools  grew  more  and  more 
deeply  in  popular  favor.  In  1861  Abner  J.  Phipps  was  elected  super- 
intendent, and  he  was  succeeded  in  February,  1865,  by  Rev.  Henry 
F.  Harrington,  of  Cambridge,  who  at  once  commenced  a  series  of 
reforms  and  improvements  which  have  secured  for  our  schools  a  dis- 
tinguished position.  The  reorganization  of  the  primary  schools,  and 
the  substitution  of  intelligent  and  attractive  methods  of  learning  in 
place  of  the  old  "rote"  methods,  were  accomplished  in  1865.  Two 
years  later  the  New  Bedford  Manual  of  Instruction  was  adopted, 
which  was  so  well  approved  that  it  was  copied  entire  into  the  vf)lume 
of  the  reports  of  the  State  Board  of  Education,  the  following  year, 
and  thousands  of  copies  were  distributed  by  private  subscription  in  the 
normal  schools  and  among  the  school  committees  and  teachers  of  the 
state. 

In  1869  a  beginning  was  made  toward  the  introduction  of  sup- 
plementary reading  in  the  shape  of  three  hundred  subscriptions  to 
the  Nursery.  This  was  the  first  practical  recognition  in  New  England 
of  the  great  principle,  now  so  widely  and  heartily  accepted,  that  it  is 
only  reading  much  which  can  confer  the  ability  to  read  well.  Its 
application  has  been  extended  to  a  wide  range  of  the  best  literature 
supplied  to  the  schools  of  every  grade. 

The  school  system  has  received  an  incalculable  achantage 
through  the  "Sylvia  Ann  Howland  fund,"  which  is  the  fruit  of  a  gift 
of  $100,000  to  the  city  by  the  lady  whose  name  it  bears,  the 
income  to  be  equally  divided  between  the  Free  Public  Library  and  the 
public  schools.  The  city  pays  six  per  cent,  for  the  use  of  the  fund 
and  there  is  a  provision  that  no  portion  of  the  avails  shall  be  devoted 
to  any  purpose  for  which  the  city  is  legally  bound  to  provide  by  taxa- 
tion. So  the  schools  have  an  annual  income  of  $3000,  whereby  the 
school  committee  can  supply  the  best  possible  aids  to  study,  through 
books  of  reference,  books  for  supplementary  reading,  including  the 


HIGH    SCHOOL    HOUSE, 


SEEING    THE    SIGHTS.  IO9 

old  masterpieces  of  English  literature  and  the  cream  of  contemporary 
authors,  apparatus  and  cabinets  for  scientific  illustration,  museums 
for  object  teaching,  maps,  globes,  pictures,  and  musical  instruments. 
In  the  last  year,  for  instance,  $985  were  spent  for  books,  $1252  for 
music  and  musical  instruments,  including  a  grand  piano  for  the  High 
school  and  two  organs,  and  $137  for  chemical  and  philosophical 
apparatus.  A  large  amount  was  also  expended  for  purposes  that 
cannot  be  classified. 

There  are  twenty-six  school  buildings,  nine  of  which  are  of  brick. 
There  is  one  high  school,  tour  grammar,  fourteen  primary,  five  coun- 
try, two  mill,  and  four  evening  schools.  The  total  number  of  teachers 
employed  is  one  hundred  fifty-two,  and  five  thousand  fifty  pupils  were 
enrolled  last  year.  The  cost  of  maintaining  each  pupil  in  the  High 
school  in  1887  was  $39.72  ;  in  the  grammar  schools,  $22.90;  in  the 
primary  schools,  $19.65  ;  and  in  the  mill  schools.  $31.24.  The 
total  cost  of  maintaining  the  public  schools  was  $103,777.27,  of  which 
amount  $75,473.10  went  for  teachers'  salaries. 

The  Swain  Free  School  otTers  superior  opportunities  for  the 
acquirement  of  advanced  education.  It  was  established  through  the 
liberality  of  William  W.  Swain,  who  died  September  21,  1858.  A 
bequest  in  his  will  enabled  the  trustees,  after  securing  the  act  of  incor- 
poration March  18,  1881,  to  open  the  school  October  25,  1882.  A 
fine  old  house  and  estate  on  County  street  was  included  in  the  bequest, 
which  amounts  in  its  entirety  to  about  $150,000.  The  school  is  held 
in  the  old  Swain  mansion,  which  has  been  fitted  for  the  purpose. 
The  building  sets  back  from  the  street  and  the  surroundings  are  very 
picturesque,  the  old  house  standing  in  the  midst  of  a  magnificent 
growth  of  trees.  The  studies  taught  are  Greek,  Latin,  mathematics, 
history,  geography,  English,  art,  physics,  chemistr}',  German,  French, 
and  Italian.  Applicants  for  admission  must  be  residents  of  New 
Bedford  or  of  the  adjacent  towns,  and  nuisi  have  pursued  a  course  of 
study  equivalent  to  that  of  our  best  iiigh  schools  or  academies.  There 
are  at  present  four  teachers  in  the  school  and  certificates  have  been 
awarded  to  about  fift\'  pupils.  The  board  of  trustees  comprises 
Lincoln  F.  Brigham,  William  W.  Crapo,  Edward  D.  Mandell,  Andrew 
G.  Pierce,  George  H.  Dunbar,  C.  B.  H.  Fessenden,  Charles  W. 
Cliftbrd,  William  J.  Potter,  Charles  H.  Peirce,  Edmund  Grinnell,  and 
Francis  T.  Akin.  Andrew  Ingraham  is  the  master  of  the  school. 
Following  are  extracts  from  Mr.  Swain's  will  : 


I  lo  NK;W    BEDFORD. 

"My  hope  is  tliiit  the  provision  heroin  made  will  tx'  snfHcient  for  cstaljlisliin^  anrl 
sui)|)urtin<?  a  school  of  a  high  charactci-,  where  the  pupils  may  receive  a  thorough 
education  upon  the  most  liberal  and  enlightened  principles,  free  of  any  charge  of 
tuition. 

"My  intention  !•;  thai  the  >icho<»l  sliall  never  be,  in  aii\  torni  or  degree,  exclusive, 
either  religiously  or  politically,  but  open  for  the  admission  of  all  whose  good  charac- 
ter and  condition  entitle  them  to  share  in  its  benefits,  and  of  this  the  trustees  are  to 
he  the  sole  judges. 

"My  wish  is  that  this  class  of  scholars  {i.e..  ■•those  whose  parents  cannot  atlord 
to  send  them  to  our  most  expensive  schools"')  liave  precedence  in  admission,  leaving 
the  decision  on  each  individual  application  to  the  trustees,  who  are  alone  to  decide 
thereon." 

Friends'  academy  is  a  day  school,  located  between  Morgan  and 
Elm  streets,  west  of  County.  In  1810  a  schoolhouse  was  erected  at 
the  corner  of  County  and  Elm  streets  in  the  village.  William  Rotch, 
William  Rotch.  Jr.,  Satnuel  Rodman,  Samuel  Elam,  Thomas  Arnold. 
James  Arnold,  Obadiah  M.  Brown.  Samuel  Rodman,  Jr.,  Benjamin 
Rodman,  Charles  W.  Morgan.  George  Rowland,  Thomas  Rotch. 
Joseph  Rotch,  Joseph  Ricketson,  John  Howland,  Jr..  Nathaniel 
Hathaway.  William  Swain,  and  Thomas  S.  Swain,  agreed  to  con- 
tribute sums  aggregating  $14,161  "for  the  purpose  of  establishing 
and  endowing  an  institution  for  the  instruction  of  Friends'  children 
and  such  others  as  it  may  appear  hereafter,  as  may  usefully  and 
safely  be  admitted  therein,  in  the  knowledge  of  the  languages,  of 
mathematics,  and  philosophy,  and  such  other  branches  of  useful  litera- 
ture as  hereafter,  upon  experiment,  may  be  found  within  the  compass 
and  means  of  the  institution  usefully  to  teach.'"  Februar^'  12.  181 2, 
a  charter  was  granted,  signed  by  Governor  Elbridge  Gerrv.  The 
present  building  was  dedicated  May  7.  1857,  and  three  years  after  it 
was  enlarged  and  remodelled.  It  has  always  been  an  excellent 
school.     It  present  master  is  Thomas  H.  Eckfeldt. 

The  attention  of  the  visitors  was  called  to  the  newspapers  of 
the  city. 

The  New  Bedford  Mercury,  a  weekly  newspaper,  was  established 
in  1807  by  Benjamin  Lindsey,  who  had  previously  worked  as  com- 
positor and  foreman  in  the  printing  office  of  the  Palladium,  in  Boston. 
It  was  a  small  sheet  of  sixteen  columns,  printed  "on  good  paper  and 
in  fair  type,"  and  the  subscription  price  was  two  dollars  annually.  In 
his  address  to  the  public  the  editor  stated  that  it  was  his  wish  and 
intention  to  publish  a  useful  and,  as  far  as  resources  would  penuit. 
an  entertaining  journal.     In  politics  it  proposed  to  adopt  the  truly 


ST.   LAWRENCE  CATHOLIC  CHURCH. 


SEEING    THE     SIGHTS. 


113 


republican  principles  of  Washington's  farewell  address,  convinced 
that  all  Americans  were  alike  interested  in  their  support.  The  first 
issue  contains  "very  late  foreign  news"  and  a  proclamation  by  Thomas 
Jefferson.  Among  the  advertisements  in  the  second  number  was  one 
announcing  that  the  "stage  will  start  from  Crocker's  tavern,  in  New 
Bedford,  at  sunrise  on  Mondays,  Wednesdays,  and  Fridays,  and 
arrive  at  Boston  at  three  o'clock  p.  m."  The  founder  of  the  Mercury 
conducted  it  alone  until  1826,  when  his  son,  Benjamin  Lindsey,  Jr., 


UNITED  STATES  REVENUE  MARINE  BARK  S.   P,  CHASE. 

was  associated  with  him.  In  1831  they  started  the  l)ail\-  Mercury, 
the  first  daily  established  in  New  Bedford,  and  the  senior  partner 
soon  after  retiring,  the  entire  management  devolved  upon  the  son, 
who  published  it  until  July  15,  1861,  when,  having  been  appointed 
United  States  consul  at  St.  Catherines,  Brazil,  he  sold  the  news- 
paper establishment  to  C.  1>.  11.  Fessenden  and  William  G.  Baker. 
In  May,  1876,  the  Mercurv  passed  by  purchase  into  the  hands  of  the 
present  proprietors,  Stephen  W.  Booth,  Warren  E.  Chase,  and  William 


114 


NEW    BEDFORD. 


L.  Sayer,  who  now  conduct  it  as  a  morning  paper.  The  weekly 
edition  is  also  published  by  the  same  firm,  which  is  known  as  the 
Mercury  Publishing  Company.  The  daily  has  four  pages  and  the 
weekly  twelve. 

The  Daily  Evening  Standard  was  first  issued  on  Friday,  February 
15th,  1850,  and  was  a  sheet  nineteen  by  twenty-seven  inches  in  size. 
Edmund  Anthony,  the  publisher,  was  a  native  of  Swansea,  and  for 
some  years  carried  on  the  printing  business  in  Taunton,  where  he 
founded  the  Taunton  Democrat,  now  the  Gazette,  and  its  weekly 
edition.  In  Januar3s  1864,  Mr.  Anthony  commenced  the  publica- 
tion of  the  Springfield  Union  and  July  26th  of  that  year  it  was 
announced  that  the  Standard  would  appear  in  the  name  of  E. 
Anthony  &  Sons,  Edmund  Anthony,  Jr.,  and  Benjamin  Anthony 
being  admitted  as  partners.  Mr.  Anthony  disposed  of  his  Spring- 
field enterprise  in  about  two  years  and  returned  to  New  Bedford, 
where  he  died  January  24,  1876,  at  the  age  of  sixty-seven  years. 
The  style  of  the  firm  continues  as  before.  The  Republican  Standard, 
weekly,  commenced  at  the  same  time  with  the  daily.  Both  the  daily 
and  weekly  are  eight  page  newspapers,  large  sheets  of  fifty-six 
columns. 

Both  of  the  New  Bedford  newspapers  are  conducted  with  vigor 
and  spirit,  and  maintain  a  good  position  for  character,  enterprise,  and 
ability  among  the  journals  of  Massachusetts.  Each  of  them  has  the 
news  service  of  the  Associated  Press,  furnished  by  private  telegraph 
wires  terminating  in  their  editorial  rooms,  and  each  has  an  active 
and  etficient  corps  of  local  reporters  and  correspondents.  Several 
attempts  to  establish  other  papers  have  been  made,  but  thev  have 
uniformly  been  unsuccessful. 

The  Whalemen's  Shipping  List  and  Merchants' Transcript  enjoys 
the  distinction  of  being  the  onl}^  paper  of  its  kind  in  the  world.  It 
has  been  noticed  elsewhere  in  this  volume. 

The  old  gentleman  also  brought  to  the  notice  of  his  friends  the 
many  organizations  of  philanthropy  and  reform,  such  as  the  Women's 
Reform  and  Relief  Society,  which  maintains  a  temporary  home  at 
the  corner  of  Merrimac  and  Pleasant  streets  ;  the  Orphans'  Home,  on 
French  avenue,  at  the  corner  of  Cove  street,  which  was  organized  in 
1842  and  maintains  about  thirty  inmates  ;  the  Day  Nurser3',  which 
cares  for  children  whose  parents  are  compelled  to  relinquish  their 
care  during  the  working  hours  of  the  day ;  the  Young  Men's  Chris- 


RESIDENCE  OF  EDWARD   D.   MANDELL. 


SEEING    THE    SIGHTS.  II 7 


tian  Association  and  Women's  Auxiliary ;  the  Women's  Christian 
Association  ;  the  Port  Society,  with  its  Ladies'  Branch,  maintaining  a 
home  and  church  for  seamen  ;  the  Ladies'  City  Mission  Society  ; 
the  Association  for  the  Relief  of  Aged  Women,  and  the  Union  for 
Good  Works.  This  latter  is  a  noble  institution,  not  only  because  it 
cares  for  the  poor,  but  because  it  aids  them  to  be  self-reliant  and  self- 
supporting  by  tiding  over  times  of  need.  It  provides  sewing  or  other 
work  for  needy  women  ;  it  maintains  a  sales-room  for  the  handiwork 
of  the  indigent  or  the  gentlewoman  reduced  in  circumstances,  whether 
the  work  be  preserves,  needle-work,  or  anything  that  is  salable  ;  it 
has  a  large  reception-room  well  stocked  with  the  best  papers,  period- 
icals, and  magazines,  books,  all  the  parlor  games,  etc.  ;  it  provides 
throughout  the  winter  season  a  series  of  popular  entertainments  of 
high  order  and  little  cost ;  in  short,  it  endeavors  to  lighten  the  burdens 
of  those  in  dependence  or  distress,  and  to  make  pleasanter  the  life  of 
those  whose  existence  is  a  continuous  struggle.  It  has  the  spending 
of  about  three-quarters  of  the  income  of  $100,000  left  by  James 
Arnold  for  the  aid  of  the  worthy  poor  of  the  city  of  New  Bedford. 
Besides  that  it  has  accumulated  a  fund  of  about  $30,000  by  donation 
and  otherwise.  This  will  not  be  touched,  however,  until  it  has 
reached  at  least  $50,000.  It  will  then  provide  sufficient  income  to 
meet  the  expenses  of  the  Union.  There  are  various  branches  of 
work,  including  the  relief  committee,  the  sewing  women's  branch, 
the  fruit  and  flower  committee,  the  prison  committee,  the  hospitality 
section,  and  others.  The  Union  is  the  outgrowth  of  a  sermon 
preached  by  Rev.  William  J.  Potter  at  his  tenth  anniversary,  but  it  is 
not  sectarian  in  any  sense.  Its  attractive  rooms  are  on  Purchase 
street,  in  the  second  story  of  the  building  occupied  by  the  Five  Cents 
Savings  Bank. 

The  Young  Men's  Christian  Association,  whiclf  was  organized  in 
1867,  has  developed  into  a  most  prosperous  and  efficient  institution. 
While  it  has  grown  slowly  into  public  favor,  it  has  also  grown  surely, 
and  it  now  has  a  high  place  in  popular  esteem.  In  November  of 
1888,  its  membership  had  reached  five  hundred  fifty.  The  rooms 
of  the  Association  are  in  the  second  and  third  stories  of  the  build- 
ing of  the  New  Bedford  Safe  Deposit  and  Trust  Company,  at  the 
corner  of  William  street  and  Acushnet  avenue.  A  reading  room  and 
library  are  open  day  and  evening,  and  Sunday  afternoon  ;  appropriate 
religious  work  is  conducted  at  stated  periods  ;  two  courses  of  lectures 


Il8  NEW    BEDFORD. 

and  entertainments  are  carried  on,  one  for  the  members  and  one  for 
the  public;  educational  classes  of  varied  nature  are  maintained  ;  and 
various  other  enterprises  find  a  place  in  the  work  of  the  Association. 
A  movement  is  now  on  foot  to  erect  for  the  Association  a  building  of 
its  own. 

Then  there  are  two  excellent  hospitals  :  St.  Luke's  on  Fourth 
street,  and  St.  Joseph's  on  Pleasant  street.  St.  Luke's  is  compara- 
tively a  new  institution.  The  organization  was  effected  on  the  twelfth 
of  April,  1884,  though  several  meetings  of  those  interested  had  been 
held  previously.  Soon  after  the  organization,  the  lot  No.  81  Fourth 
street  was  purchased,  with  the  commodious  house  located  thereon, 
and  the  hospital  was  placed  in  active  operation.  The  following 
physicians  were  appointed  on  the  medical  staff:  Edward  P.  Abbe, 
Wilham  N.  Swift,  A.  Martin  Pierce,  Charles  D.  Prescott,  J.  J.  B. 
Vermyne,  and  George  T.  Hough.  A  w^oman's  board  of  management 
has  general  charge  of  the  hospital  work,  which  has  been  thus  far 
exceedingly  successful  and  satisfactory.  The  corporation  has  the 
following  officers:  President,  Horatio  Hathav/a}' ;  Vice-President, 
Charles  W.  Clifford  ;  Secretary,  Edward  S.  Taber  ;  Treasurer,  Charles 
W.  Plummer  ;  with  a  long  list  of  trustees.  It  is  largely  supported  by 
the  contributions  of  the  people  of  New  Bedford,  though  an  endowment 
fund  is  in  process  of  accumulation. 

St.  Joseph's  Hospital  is  an  enterprise  of  the  Roman  CathoHc 
church,  and  was  established  in  1873,  through  the  efforts  of  Rev.  L. 
S.  McMahon,  now  bishop  of  Hartford.  St.  Lawrence  parish  has 
the  honor  of  its  foundation,  although  it  was,  at  the  outset,  assisted  bv 
many  Protestants.  The  hospital  building  is  admirably  adapted  to  the 
work  for  which  it  is  used,  and  under  the  supervision  of  the  Sisters  of 
Mere}',  the  institution  has  done  a  vast  amount  of  good.  Dr.  Stephen 
W.  Hayes  is  the  ph3'sician  in  charge,  and  he  is  assisted  bv  a  medical 
corps  including  Doctors  Edward  P.  Abbe,  John  H.  Mackie,  F.  H. 
Hooper,  George  T.  Hough,  J.  J.  B.  Vermyne,  and  William  H. 
Taylor.  The  officers  of  the  corporation  are  :  President,  Rev.  H.  J. 
Smyth;  Treasurer,  John  McCullough ;  Secretary,  S.  W.  Hayes, 
M.  D.  The  hospital  depends  entirel}'  upon  contributions  for  its 
support. 

In  both  hospitals  patients  are  admitted  without  regard  to  their 
religious  views. 

Attention  was  also  called  to  the  electric  and  gas  lighting  systems  ; 


SEEING    THE    SIGHTS.  121 


to  the  travelling  facilities  provided  b}'  the  Old  Colony  railroad  com- 
panv,  and  to  the  comfortable  and  pleasant  homes  of  the  city,  after  the 
best  methods  of  New  England  life.  Above  all,  the  climate  of  New 
Bedford  is  salubrious  and  renders  it  one  of  the  most  attractive  resi- 
dence cities  in  this  part  of  the  country.  In  summer  the  southwest 
winds  blowing  athwart  the  bay,  fan  the  heated  city  to  a  most 
comfortable  degree  of  temperature.  The  breeze  gains  strength  at 
nightfall  and  the  nights  are  deliciously  cool.  Nor  is  the  city  subject 
to  extremes  of  cold,  compared  with  places  of  the  same  latitude  in  the 
interior.  The  temperature  of  the  water  in  the  bay  is  said  to  be  ten 
degrees  warmer  than  that  within  Cape  Cod  ba}'. 

In  this  connection,  the  following  figures,  furnished  by  Thomas  R. 
Rodman,  a  local  meteorologist,  will  be  found  interesting  : 

AVERAGE    TEMPERATURE. 

Degrecis  F. 

•Tanuarx',  fur  seventy--^ix  years 28.1.") 

February.  •'  ••         28.89 

March.  ■•  ••         34.88 

April,  •■  •'         -W.7.5 

May.  ••  "         •14.64 

.Imie.  •'  ••         «4.0r) 

.luly.  ■'  "  69.(>0 

August,  for  sevpiity-five  years G8.32 

September.  "  "         .59.2.5 

October,  for  seventy-six  years.      .52.11 

November.  '•  ••         41.79 

December.  "  ••         31.89 

A  V  K  K  A  ( ;  I<;     K  A I N  V  A  L  I- . 

.laiiuary.  for  seventy-five  years 3.88 

Febrnary.  ••  '•  3.82 

March.  ••  ••  4.1«i 

April.  ••  ••  3.94 

May.  ••  •• 3.96 

June.  "  •'  3.15 

.luiy.  "  '•  3.36 

.Vugust,  for  seventy-four  years 4.27 

September.  •  "  3.53 

October,  for  sevenly-tive  years 3.81 

November.  ••  '•  4.27 

December.  '•  •'  1-12 


122  NEW     BEDFORD. 

The  record  of  the  temperature  commenced  in  October,  1812,  and 
that  of  rainfall  in  October,  1813. 

"This  street  has  a  reputation  for  beauty  which  is  national,"  said  the 
old  resident,  as  he  drove  through  County  street,  the  driveway  of  which 
is  lift}'  feet  in  width.  ''Many  strange  processions  have  been  seen  on 
this  street.  Late  one  September  afternoon  in  1775  between  fourthou- 
sand  and  five  thousand  British  regulars  landed  at  the  foot  ol  this 
avenue  and  the  first  military  procession  we  hear  of  in  New  Bedford 
marched  up  the  road  to  the  village,  burning  the  houses  and  the  ship- 
ping at  the  wharves.  Their  approach  was  watched  by  the  peaceful 
inhabitants  of  the  old  town  from  the  housetops,  by  the  aid  of  spy 
glasses,  and  as  the  military  marched  up  the  rough  road  the  affrighted 
people  fled  into  the  neighboring  country.  Imagine  that  procession 
of  red  coated  military  men. 

"Well,  well! 

'  The  kuights  ai'e  dust, 
Their  swords  are  rust, 
Their  souls  are  with  the  saints  we  trust.' 

"Then  think  of  the  old  fashioned  equestrian  parties,  starting  on 
a  journey  up  the  road, —  the  gentlemen  with  their  three  cornered  hats, 
Quaker  dress,  and  top  boots  ;  the  ladies  in  simple  travelling  dress  ; 
behind  each  saddle  the  leathern  bags  containing  their  luggage.  The 
old  street  has  undergone  many  transformations  since.  The  dwellings 
which  are  distributed  over  the  beautiful  hill  are  pleasing  in  archi- 
tecture and  proportion,  but  the  overshadowing  elms,  green  lawns,  and 
blooming  gardens  particularly  arouse  admiration.  Among  the  hand- 
somest of  the  older  residences  is  the  house  on  the  east  side  of  County 
street,  between  Pearl  and  Willis  streets,  which  was  the  palatial  resi- 
dence of  John  Avery  Parker,  a  prominent  merchant  who  was  identi- 
fied with  the  prosperity  of  the  whale-fisher}-,  and  erected  by  him  in 
1834 '  t^^  mansion  now  occupied  by  Hon.  William  J.  Rotch  on  the 
west  side  of  the  street,  between  Union  and  Arnold  streets ;  the  resi- 
dence of  the  late  Hon.  Abraham  H.  Howland,  an  imposing  structure  of 
granite  ;  and  the  home  of  the  late  Hon.  Joseph  Grinnell,  for  many 
years  the  president  and  guiding  spirit  in  the  Wamsutta  mills,  and  to 
whom  the  honor  and  credit  of  this  great  industry  is  largely  due. 
There  are  many  more  modern  residences,  which  you  will  notice.  The 
county  court  house,  a  building  of  brick,  with  wooden  pillars,  sets  back 
from  the  street.     In  this  building  the  registry  of  deeds  is  located. 


SEEING    THE    SIGHTS. 


125 


"If  we  drop  in  here  for  a  call  on  the  register,  Hon.  George  B. 
Richmond,  he  will  give  us  some  figures  indicating  a  boom  in  real 
estate  hereabouts.  The  registry  includes  New  Bedford  and  the  towns 
of  Acushnet.  Fairhaven,  Dartmouth,  and  Westport.  The  first  deed 
here  was  recorded  July  i,  1837.  The  number  of  instruments  recorded 
in  the  office  have  been  as  follows:  1838,  648:  1870,  1123;  1875, 
1265  ;    1880,  1482,  and  in  1887,  2396. 

"At  the  southeast  corner  of  County  and  William  streets  stands  a 
house  now  occupied  by  George  F.  Bartlett,  which  was  the  residence 
of  Svlvia  Ann  Rowland.      It  was  built  for  Thomas  Rotch,  a  son  of 


"  IliiiTillWmil 


lllillll'lillll«Wl"jl|lli,||||:i|iiJl||||,fnil' 


SUMMER   HOME  OF  GEN.   PHILIP   H.  SHERIDAN  AT  NONQUITT. 

William  Rotch,  Jr.,  and  after  his  death  his  sister,  who  married  Charles 
I' leming,  occupied  it.  They  are  said  to  have  given  the  first  dancing 
part\-  ever  held  in  a  private  house  in  New  Bedford.  This  was  about 
fifty  years  ago. 

"And  if  we  turn  through  Arnold  or  Orchard  or  Cottage  streets, 
and  drive  out  on  Hawthorn,  \ou  cannot  help  agreeing  with  me  that 
this  part  of  our  city  constitutes  a  perfect  park.  The  residences  are 
many  of  them  of  the  popular  Queen  Anne  order  of  architecture  and 
the  surroundings  are  most  picturesque. 

"And  now  we  will  take  the  Point  Road  drive,  which  is  so 
famous  I  think  \ou  must  have  heard  of  it.     Clark's  point,  you  know. 


126  NKW    BEDFORD. 

is  a  strip  of  land  projecting  into  the  waters  of  the  bay.  Around  this 
point,  Mayor  Rodney  French  built  a  driveway  eighty  feet  in  width, 
in  1853,  at  a  very  large  expense  and  it  has  since  been  kept  in  the 
best  of  repair,  $20,000  having  been  expended  upon  it  by  the  city  gov- 
ernment within  five  years.  The  road  is  three  and  one  half  miles  in 
length  and  about  one  third  of  it  is  macadamized.  He  who  takes  this 
drive  for  the  first  time  is  sure  to  be  enchanted  by  the  scene,  and  it  has 
so  much  variety,  such  deliciousness  in  curve  and  winding,  such 
graciousness  in  the  union  of  sea  and  shore,  and  such  charm  of  color, 
that  increased  acquaintance  makes  one  more  in  love  with  it  than  ever. 
The  river  is  on  the  east  and  a  cove  makes  up  on  the  west,  while  the 
bay  opens  before  us.  The  sparkling  water,  the  white  sails,  and  the 
breath  of  the  field  and  shore,  fill  one  with  exaltation  ;  you  not  only 
see  the  beauty  of  the  place,  you  smell  it  and  breathe  it.  At  the  junc- 
tion of  Cove  street  with  French  avenue  is  the  Orphans'  Home.  The 
name  of  the  institution  indicates  its  purpose  and  it  is  one  of  the  most 
worth}'-  and  blessed  of  our  institutions.  On  summer  evenings  the 
avenue  is  resorted  to  by  the  owners  of  fast  horses,  and  exciting  brushes 
add  to  the  interest  of  a  drive  around  the  point.  The  red  roofed  towers 
which  we  see  on  the  west  shore  of  the  bay  mark  Nonquitt.  It  was 
here  that  Gen.  Phil  Sheridan  spent  the  summers  of  his  life  and  here 
he  died.  Miss  Louisa  M.  Alcott  also  spent  several  summers  at  Non- 
quitt and  Robert  Swain  Gifibrd,  the  artist,  has  a  studio  and  summer 
home  overlooking  the  bay.  At  our  left,  as  we  drive  down  the  west  side 
of  the  avenue,  is  Woodlawn  grove,  a  remarkably  pretty  spot  controlled 
by  the  street  railway  company.  There  are  bathing  houses  opposite, 
and  as  the  street  cars  run  down  to  this  point,  the  grove  and  beach  are 
much  resorted  to  here.  Here  and  there  you  will  see  a  pretty  cottage 
among  the  trees,  but  for  the  most  part  there  are  simplv  stretches  of 
green  fields  and  grove." 

"Why  is  it  that  so  lovely  a  spot  has  not  been  bought  up  for 
summer  homes?"  was  asked. 

"Couldn't  say  for  the  life  of  me.  Land  is  cheap  and  nothing- 
seems  to  be  lacking  to  make  this  an  ideal  abiding  place  during  the 
heated  term.  Look  at  that  bit  of  shore.  Where  can  you  find  any- 
thing more  picturesque  than  that  clump  of  gnarled  oaks  with  their 
background  of  blue  sky  and  water  and  green  landscape  on  the  oppo_ 
site  shore? 

"On  the  end  of  the  point  is  a  granite  fort,  commenced  during 


SEEING    THE    SIGHTS.  1 29 


the  rebellion,  but  never  quite  completed.  It  was  planned  after  Fort 
Sumter  and  was  garrisoned  during  the  war.  Now  a  sergeant  and  a 
few  men  are  in  charge.  The  tower  of  a  lighthouse  remains,  but  the 
light  has  been  removed  to  the  parapet  of  the  fort.  You  may  be 
interested  to  know  that  the  first  lighthouse  was  built  here  about  the 
3^ear  1800.  It  was  a  wooden  structure  and  at  the  raising  a  hundred- 
gallon  trypot  of  chowder  was  prepared.  This  house  was  destroyed 
bv  fire  during  a  tempest  one  night. 

"Buzzards  bav  is  now  before  us.  It  was  discovered  by  the 
Northmen  in  the  tenth  century  and  by  them  named  Straumfiord.  which 
means,  when  liberally  translated.  Bay  of  Currents.  Subsequently  it 
was  discovered  by  Gosnold  in  1602  and  named  Gosnold's  Hope,  and 
by  the  early  settlers  of  Dartmouth  it  was  named  •  Buzzards  bay." 
probably  from  the  fish  hawks  which  abounded.  In  the  distance, 
lying  blue  against  the  horizon,  are  the  Elizabeth  islands,  sixteen  in 
number,  the  principal  of  vvhich  are  : 

Nashawena,  Pesquinese, 
Cuttyhunk  and  Penekese, 
Xaushon,  Xonainesset. 
Oiikatouka  and  Wepeeket. 

"Driving  back  to  the  city  along  the  east  side  of  the  point,  the 
Acushnet  river  is  on  our  right.  On  the  left  the  city  almshouse  is 
located,  a  fine,  large  building  of  granite,  surrounded  b\  a  fine  farm  of 
many  acres.  Strangers  invariably  inquire  who  owns  that  imposing 
residence.  There  are  also  a  number  of  prett}'  residences,  but  plenty 
of  available  building  sites.  The  view  of  the  city  and  Fairhaven  from 
this  point  is  very  delightful." 

Finally,  the  visitors  were  driven  to  Acushnet  Heights,  as  tlie 
northwest  portion  of  the  city  is  called.  Here  are  some  of  the  finest 
private  residences  in  the  city,  and  the  \'iew  of  the  ri\er,  the  harbor, 
the  bay,  and  the  adjoining  shores,  villages,  and  islands,  is  one  ol 
the  most  beautiful  in  the  country.  The  view  from  this  point  is  said  to 
have  excited  the  admiration  of  Washington  Irving  when  on  a  visit  to 
this  city. 

Acushnet  is  a  little  village  usually  known  as  the  Head  of  the 
River,  about  three  and  a  half  miles  in  a  northerly  direction  from  City 
hall.  The  westerly  ^art  is  on  the  New  Bedford  side  of  tlie  river  and 
the  easterW  part  is  on  the  Fairhaven  side.      A  short  bridge  connects 


T30 


NEW    BEDFORD. 


the  two  shores.  The  old  mill  dam  at  this  point  is  very  picturesque. 
It  was  the  first  stopping  place  on  tlie  old  post  route  to  Boston. 
East  of  the  Long  Plain  road,  in  this  town,  stood  the  onl}- block  house 
ev^er  built  in  this  vicinity.  It  belonged  to  Thomas  Wood,  the  father  of 
the  late  Henry  T.  Wood,  and  was  built  about  two  hundred  and  fifty 
years  ago.  It  was  sketched  b\-  a  local  artist  named  Hitchings,  and  a 
photograph  of  the  drawing  is  preserved  in  the  library  building. 
Other  adjoining  towns  are  Dartmouth,  Westport,  and  Freetown,  pleas- 
ant villages,  whose  history  is  closely  identified  with  that  of  this  city. 
In  the  former  town,  as  well  as  in  the  north  part  of  Fairhaven  and 
Acushnet,  stood  some  of  the  first  houses  ever  built  by  white  men  in 
this  vicinit^^  the  ruins  of  which  still  remain. 

At  dinner  that  night  the  host  apologized  for  doing  so  much  talk- 
ing, saying  his  excuse  was  that  he  wished  them  to  use  their  eyes  while 
he  poured  his  inadequate  words  of  praise  into  their  ears.  Then  he 
hinted  that  he  would  like  to  hear  their  impressions. 

The  recital  rewarded  the  old  man  for  his  trouble.  The  New 
Yorker  expressed  the  conviction  that  the  city  can  not  be  rivalled  b^' 
an\-  summer  resort  in  the  land,  and  said  he  proposed  to  have  a  cottage 
bv  the  sea,  somewhere  on  Clark's  point,  before  another  summer. 

The  business  man  spoke  unreservedly  of  the  favorable  impres- 
sion he  had  received  of  the  facilities  which  New  Bedford  offers  for 
manufacturing. 

Both  commended  his  public  spirit  and  expressed  the  opinion  that 
New  Bedford  people  must  have  kept  the  advantages  of  their  charm- 
ing city  very  much  to  themselves  or  it  would  long  ago  have  been 
famous  for  something  more  than  the  bygone  industry  of  whaling. 


~?^ 


CHAPTER  IV 


INDUSTRIAL  AND  FINANCIAL. 


HEN  John  Loudon,  a  caulker,  came 
from  Pembroke  to  the  shores  of  the 
Acushnet  river,  in  1760,  to  engage  in 
the  building  of  ships,  the  Ibundation  of 
New  Bedford's  mechanical  industries 
was  laid.  Previous  to  that  time  an 
occasional  lonely  farmhouse  on  the 
County  road,  a  "try-house"  near  the 
shore,  and  a  few  small  sloops  in  the 
harbor  were  the  only  evidences  of  in- 
dustrial activity.  But  this  enterprising  caulker,  seeking  a  field  for 
the  expansion  of  his  energies  and  the  bettering  of  his  fortunes,  set  an 
example  which  was  closely  and  quickly  followed  by  Benjamin  Taber 
and  John  Allen  and  Barzillai  Myrick  and  Gideon  Mosher  and  Elnathan 
Sampson,  every  one  of  them  mechanics,  who  at  once  were  established 
in  their  various  branches  of  industry  and  who  prospered  with  the 
growth  of  the  village.  From  that  day  to  this,  first  Bedford  and  then 
New  Bedford  has  always  been  a  place  of  busy  and  varied  manufac- 
tures. The  course  of  events  at  first  led  its  industries  into  channels 
which  were  tributary  to  New  Bedford's  great  enterprise, — the  whale- 
fishery.  But  those  who  have  not  closely  studied  the  subject  have  no 
adequate  idea  of  the  variety  and  extent  of  mechanical  pursuits  made 
necessary  by  the  first  great  business  of  the  place.  Of  shipbuilders, 
riggers,  sailmakers,  carpenters,  blacksmiths,  painters,  boatbuilders, 
caulkers,  coopers,  and  blockmakers  there  was  a  mighty  array,  while 
few  towns  could  ever  boast  of  so  many  superior  skilled  mechanics, 


134  M;N\'    ISKDl'ORl). 

—  men  who  were  princes  in  their  calling  and  whose  names  were 
known  the  world  over  as  those  of  craftsmen  without  reproach.  A 
cordage  factory  was  built  here  at  a  very  early  date.  It  was  burned 
by  the  British  troops  in  1778.  But  another  must  have  taken  its  place 
soon  after  the  close  of  the  Revolution.  Oil  refineries  and  candle 
factories  were  numerous  and  thriving,  and  minor  industries  were 
never  lacking,  even  when  the  city  was  apparentlv  engrossed  in  the 
pursuit  of  whales  in  every  ocean  on  the  globe.  It  was  not  so  difficult 
to  turn  to  manufacturing  when  the  whale-tisherv  found  itself  con- 
fronted with  well-equipped  competition.  The  people  of  New  Bed- 
ford had  been  drilled  to  work  with  hand  and  with  brain.  They  were 
of  an  industrial  race.  They  turned  hopefullv  to  meet  new  conditions, 
and  attacked  the  problem  of  their  future  with  faith  and  courage. 
Thus  out  of  the  humble  shops  of  those  artisans  of  the  long  past  have 
grown  the  splendid  factories  of  the  present  and  the  budding  enter- 
prises of  the  future.  In  the  pages  which  follow  the  reader  will  lind 
depicted  the  industrial  New  Bedford  of  1888. 

As  a  prelude  to  the  detailed  survey  of  New  Bedford's  business 
interests,  the  reader  is  invited  to  a  glance  at  the  following  interesting 
tables,  kindly  furnished  by  the  Massachusetts  Bureau  of  Statistics  of 
Labor,  in  advance  of  their  publication  in  an\'  other  form.  The^•  are 
from  the  forthcoming  report  of  the  manufacturing  census  of  1885, 
and  are  the  latest  available  statistics  of  this  character  to  be  had.  It 
should  be  remembered  that  since  thev  were  gathered,  several  new 
cotton  mills  have  been  erected,  and  that  other  enterprises  have  been 
established. 

Number  of  establishmentis, 4-20 

Capital  invostpd  in  land, 8507,127 

in  buildings  and  fixture!!, 2,826,629 

in  niachinei  y,      .■),101,580 

in  implements  and  tools 369,351 

in  cash. 4.799,194 

in  credit :  supplied  by  partners  or  stockbolders.    .  92,084 

in  credit:  notes  on  long- time,  etc.,      1,373,730 

Total  capital  invested, .$15,069,695 

Stock  used : 

Brick,  stone,  etc.,      8V29  746 

Coal  and  wood  (fuel), 15g  997 

Findings  and  trimmings, 18  914 


RESIDENCE    OF   JONATHAN    BOURNE 


INDUSTRIAL    AND    FINANCIAL.  I37 


Stock  used —  Continued. 

Food  materials,     $177,947 

Leather, 300,935 

Lumber, 230,296 

frou  and  iron  goods, 105,948 

Other  metals  and  metallic  goods, ;{40,120 

Paints,  oils,  colors,  chemicals,  etc 458.464 

Paper  and  paper  materials, 31,009 

Wooden  goods,      54,175 

Cotton  (raw). 2,248,554 

Wool  (raw), 180,000 

AH  other  textile  materials  (raw). 470,700 

Cotton  goods, 43,820 

Woollen  and  worsted  goods, 01,835 

All  other  textile  goods, 30,411 

Other  articles  specified 1,026,934 

Total, $6,066,805 

Goods  made  and  work  done  : 

Boots,  shoes,  and  slippers, $751,240 

Building,  building  materials,  and  stone  work 887,508 

<Jlothing  and  straw  goods 292,324 

Food  preparations,    .  ' 390,783 

Iron  goods,      269,675 

Other  metallic  goods 980.000 

Leather, 50,870 

Paints,  colors,  oils,  chemicals,  etc 911,880 

Paper  and  paper  goods, 33.500 

Printing  and  publishing, 295.248 

Textiles, 5.343,779 

W^ooden  goods, 333,718 

Wood  and  metal  goods, 280,213 

Other  goods  sjiecified, 514.032 

Total, $11,334,770 

Persons  emploj^ed  (both  sexes)  : 
Males : 

Under  10  years  of  age 3 

10  and  over,  under  14, 57 

14  and  over,  under  21, 1105 

21  and  over, 4660 

Total,     . 5825 

Females : 

Under  10  years 

10  and  over,  under  14, 44 

14  and  over,  under  21, " 1195 

21  and  over, 1681 

Total,      2920 

Total  number  of  persons  Hmp]oy<'d  (  both  sexes  i 8745 


138  NKW      BEDP'ORD. 

Salaries  i)ai(l .*!2()o.408 

Wages  paid, .Sa.085.2f;8 

Priucipal  oci-upatiitiis : 
Males : 

United  States  postal  department  service, 21 

Other  national  government  service, 2(1 

City  police  department  service, 52 

Cit}'  street  department  service, 22 

Other  city  government  service, (jl 

Clergymen, .i.") 

Lawyers, -iA 

Pliysicians  and  surgeons,       42 

Boarding  and  lodging  house  keepers  and  employes ;{(i 

Hotel  keepers  and  employes, .""k) 

Restaurant  keepers  and  employes, 2*) 

Saloon  keepers  and  employes  niquor) 25 

Coachmen  (in  families), .S(> 

Servants  (in  families), 47 

Barbers  and  hairdressers,      (17 

Scrubbers  and  cleaners  (in  mills) IS 

Stationary  engineers  and  assistants, .{2 

Watchmen. .{7 

Merchants  and  dealers, 578 

Salesmen. 126 

Book-keepers  and  clerks, 585 

Agents, 51 

Bank  officials  and  employes .'{9 

Brokers,       20 

Laborers  and  helpers  (in  stores), 21 

Boarding  and  livery  stable  keepers  and  employes. 74 

Carriage  and  hack  drivers, 28 

Drivers  of  delivery  wagons, 21 

Express  company  officials  and  employes 34 

Horse  railroad  officials  and  employes, •  (50 

Teamsters,      20(i 

Steam  railroad  officials  and  employes 143 

Master  mariners  (sailing), 50 

Mariners  (sailing), 242 

Steamboat  officials  and  employes, 41 

Stevedores,     .    .    .   .  • 20 

Farmers,      53 

Farm  laborers, 128 

Florists, 25 

Gardeners  and  assistants, 61 

Fishermen,      45 

Drill  makers, 52 

Boot  and  shoemakers, 322 

Carpenters, 484 

Ma.sons 184 


RESIDENCE  OF  SAMUEL  IVERS. 


INDUSTRIAL    AND    FINANCIAL.  I4I 


Principal  occupations,  males — Continued. 

Painters,      185 

Plumbers, 24 

Carringe  blacksmiths, 20 

Carriage  painters, 43 

Carriage  trimmers, 18 

Carriage  makers  (not  specified), 39 

Tailors, 08 

Cordage  factory  operatives, 154 

Cotton  mill  operatives, 2126 

Bakers  (bread,  cake,  and  pastry),     62 

Upholsterers, 17 

Glass  works  employes, 148 

Harness  makers, 22 

Machinists, 156 

Blacksmiths, 98 

Britannia  workers, 39 

Copper  workers, 58 

Gold  workers, 42 

Iron  workers, 51 

Tin  vvoi-kers,      28 

Oil  makers, 26 

Photographers, 20 

Compositors  and  printers, 51 

Boat  builders, 18 

Calkers, 20 

Sail  makers, 27 

Ship  carpenters, 33 

Stone  workei's,      47 

Cigar  makers, 20 

Coopers,       49 

Picture-frame  makers, I93 

Woollen  mill  operatives, 64 

Laborers, 800 

Apprentices,       67 

Scholars  and  students, 2340 

Children  at  work  and  at  sdiool,      88 

Retired, 44I 

Not  given, 220 

Dependents  (private  support), 24 

At  home, 1974 

Other  occupations, 1200 

Total, 15,413 

Females : 

Music  teachers, 32 

Teachers, ". 145 

Boarding  and  lodging  house  keepers  and  employes, 33 

Hotel  employes, 14 

Restaurant  keepers  and  employes. 18 


14.2  NKW    BEDFORD. 


PriiK'ipal  occupatious,  females —  Continucil. 

Housekeepers  (in  families),     68 

Housewives, 6659 

Housework, 1421 

Servants  (in  families), S22 

Laundry  work !^7 

Nurses, 66 

Saleswou)en, 51 

Book-keepers  and  clerks, .• 97 

Boot  and  shoe  makers, 67 

Dressmakers, 353 

Milliners, 48 

Seamstresses, 44 

Shirt  makers. 28 

Tailoresses, 06 

Cotton  mill  operatives, 1898 

Metal  burnishers, 18 

Picture-frame  makers, 4-1 

Woollen  mill  operatives 32 

Scholars  and  students, 2466 

Children  at  work  and  at  school, 58 

Retired, 115 

Not  given, 699 

Dependents  (private  support) 75 

At  home, 2092 

Other  occupations, 364 

Total.      , 17.980 

It  may  be  of  interest  to  compare  the  census  reports  of  i88o  and 
1885,  as  a  means  of  giving  some  idea  of  the  progress  of  the  citv. 
The  figures  are  tabulated  for  the  purpose  of  easy  comparison  : 

1880.  1S85. 

Number  of  establishments 297 420 

NTumber  of  employes, 5,507 8.745 

Wages  for  the  year §1,907,773 83,085.268 

Capital  invested 87,143,507 815,069,695 

Stock  used,     .85,256,269 86.066,805 

Value  of  product.      88,880,384 .$11,334,770 

The  pages  following  are  devoted  to  histories  and  descriptions  of 
manufacturing  and  other  enterprises  which  have  a  home  in  New- 
Bedford. 


RESIDENCE  OF   MRb.   tUWARU   T,  TABER. 


INDUSTRIAL    AND    FINANCIAL.  I45 

COTTON  MANUFACTURING. 

New  Bedford  stands  third  in  the  number  of  spindles  in  operation 
among  the  cotton  manufacturing  cities  of  the  country,  being  exceeded 
by  Fall  River  and  Lowell  only.  In  the  number  of  looms  she  is 
fourth,  Manchester,  N.  H.,  in  addition  to  the  cities  just  named,  out- 
ranking her.  Her  mills  are  among  the  best  examples  of  their  class 
in  architecture,  construction,  and  equipment,  while  the  quality  of 
their  products  has  no  superior  in  this  country  or  in  any  other. 
Labor  troubles  hav^e  been  infrequent  and  usually  unimportant,  and 
the  toilers  in  New  Bedford's  cotton  mills  are  ranked  as  the  best  of 
workers  in  the  textile  industries.  It  has  not  been  the  policy  of  New 
Bedford's  business  men  td  confine  their  city's  enterprises  to  one  class 
of  industries,  but  the  manufacture  of  cotton  goods  now  holds  the  first 
place  in  extent  and  importance. 

Possibly  not  another  cotton  factory  on  the  globe  has  sent  the 
renown  of  its  name  into  so  man}-  homes  in  so  many  widely  separated 
regions  as  the  Wamsutta  mills.  The  policy  of  its  management  to 
make  the  best  goods  and  the  best  only,  continued  for  almost  half  a 
century  and  never  for  one  moment  relaxed,  has  placed  its  products 
in  the  highest  place  among  the  textile  manufactures  of  the  world. 

Yet,  when  this  magnificent  enterprise  was  first  mooted,  a  noted  cot- 
ton manufacturer  of  another  city,  a  very  estimable  gentleman,  though 
not  altogether  far-seeing,  remarked  in  a  semi-sarcastic  way  that  he 
"would  write  the  history  of  the  Wamsutta  mills  and  put  it  in  his  vest 
pocket."  The  complete  history  of  the  Wamsutta  mills  would  fill 
many  printed  pages.  We  can  glance  but  hurriedly  at  its  chief  points 
of  interest.  Back  in  the  40's,  Dwight  Perr}-,  who  was  from  Fair- 
haven,  had  a  small  cotton  mill  in  one  of  the  southern  states.  Thomas 
Bennett,  Jr.,  a  young  man  also  from  Fairhaven,  who  was  employed 
in  the  mill,  perhaps  foreseeing  something  of  the  stupendous  future  of 
the  cotton  industry  of  America,  became  desirous  of  being  at  the  head 
of  an  enterprise  of  his  own.  Not  having  sufficient  capital  at  his  com- 
mand, he  came  to  New  Bedford,  where  he  hoped  to  raise  the  funds. 
The  late  Joseph  Grinnell  of  this  city  was  at  that  time  a  member  of 
congress,  and  he  was  naturally  appealed  to  for  aid  and  influence.  It 
appears  that  Mr.  Grinnell  was  at  first  somewhat  fivorabl\-  impressed 
with  the  idea  of  establishing  the  factory  at  the  south.  But  as  he  con- 
sidered the  subject  he  became  satisfied  that  this  was  not  the  better  plan. 


146  NKW    BEDFORD. 

Possibly  he  may  have  looked  forward  to  a  time  —  then  unthought  of 
by  most  dwellers  in  New  Bedford  —  when  the  whale-fishery  must  be 
content  to  take  a  second  place  as  an  outlet  of  enterprise.  Perhaps  the 
mutterings  of  the  coming  deadly  struggle  over  the  question  of  slavery 
influenced  him  to  look  with  disfavor  on  the  south  as  a  field  for  the 
investment  of  northern  capital.  At  all  events,  he  finally  asked : 
"Why  not  locate  this  mill  in  New  Bedford?"  So  far  as  he  was  con- 
cerned, at  least,  he  practically  answered  his  own  question  by  insisting 
that  it  must  be  located  in  New  Bedford,  if  he  was  to  be  expected  to 
aid  it.  Thus  it  came  to  pass  that  the  Wamsutta  cotton  mill  was  estab- 
lished in  the  city  whose  chief  thought  at  the  moment  was  the  fitting  of 
whaleships  and  the  capture  of  whales.  But  with  the  decision  to 
build  a  cotton  mill  in  New  Bedford,  the  work  was  only  begun.  It 
was  not  easy  to  secure  subscriptions  to  the  capital  stock,  though  its 
total  amount  was  fixed  at  only  $160,000.  Men  did  not  understand  it; 
thev  did  not  know  about  it :  the}-  cared  nothing  for  it ;  they  did  not 
believe  in  it.  Fall  River  was  rising  into  prominence  as  a  cotton  man- 
ufacturing city,  but  the  idea  was  something  strange  to  Xevv  Bedford. 
The  original  subscription  list,  short  and  formal  as  it  is,  reveals  some- 
thing of  the  doubt  with  which  the  plan  was  regarded.  Most  of  the 
subscriptions  were  for  small  amounts, —  evidently  to  "help  the  thing 
along"  out  of  friendship  for  its  projectors.  Among  the  names  on  the 
list  for  the  largest  amounts  are  those  of  Gideon  Rowland.  Sylvia  Ann 
Howland,  Thomas  Mandell,  Ward  M.  Parker,  David  R.  Greene. 
Latham  Cross,  and  Grinnell,  Minturn  &  Co.,  of  New  York.  The 
only  subscribers  on  that  list  who  are  now  living  are  Jonathan  Bourne, 
John  R.  Thornton,  Thomas  Bennett.  Jr.,  and  William  J.  Rotch. 
Most  of  the  leading  men  of  New  Bedford  were  represented,  but  it 
was  rarely  that  one  individual  subscribed  for  over  ten  shares,  and  the 
largest  number  for  any  one  was  one  hundred  fifty.  In  passing,  it  is 
just  to  say  that  to  the  untiring  labor  of  the  late  Edward  L.  Baker 
in  persistently  seeking  additions  to  that  first  list  of  subscribers,  is 
due  in  large  measure  the  successful  establishment  of  the  enterprise. 
He  was  indefatigable  in  the  work  and  gave  to  it  his  best  energies. 
On  the  8th  of  April,  i8.f6,  the  Massachusetts  legislature  granted  a 
charter  to  the  new  corporation,  Matthew  Luce,  Jireh  Perry,  and 
Thomas  S.  Hathaway  being  named  as  the  incorporators.  Shortly 
after,  the  organization  was  effected  with  officers  as  follows  : 


^ 


INDUSTRIAL    AND    FINANCIAL.  1 49 

President — Joseph  Grinnell. 
Treasurer  —  Edward  L.  Baker. 

Directors — Joseph  Grinnell,  David  R.  Greene,  Thomas  Mandell, 
Joseph  C.  Delano,  Pardon  Tillinghast. 

Thomas  Bennett.  Jr..  was  elected  superintendent.  Under  his 
management,  tirst  for  a  few  years  under  the  title  of  superintendent 
and  then  for  many  years  as  superintendent  and  agent,  the  factory 
grew  to  include  four  great  mills  and  earned  its  splendid  reputation  in 
the  markets  of  the  world.  Mr.  Bennett  gave  to  the  work  of  building 
up  the  enterprise,  well-trained  faculties,  a  marvellous  executive  ability, 
and  a  determination  to  be  excelled  by  nobody.  He  carried  his  mani- 
fold burdens  well  and  he  is  preeminently  one  of  the  men  to  whom  the 
Wamsutta  corporation  owes  its  immense  success.  Mr.  Bennett  con- 
tinued as  superintendent  and  agent  until  the  spring  of  1874,  when  he 
was  succeeded  by  Edward  Kilburn,  who  continued  in  that  posidon 
until  the  summer  of  1887.  Mr.  Kilburn  was  in  turn  succeeded  by 
Edward  R.  Milliken,  who  held  the  position  for  a  few  months  only. 
On  the  first  of  January,  1888,  William  J.  Kent  assumed  the  duties  of 
agent,  which  office  he  now  holds. 

Mill  No.  I,  a  stone  structure,  two  hundred  twelve  feet  by  seventy 
feet,  with  five  floors,  was  commenced  in  1847.  Its  architect  was  Seth 
H.  Ingalls  of  this  city.  Mr.  Bennett  assumed  the  acdve  manage- 
ment at  once,  with  David  Whitman  of  Rhode  Island,  a  celebrated 
mill  engineer,  as  an  adviser.  These  gentlemen  recommended  the 
manufacture  of  the  standard  shirtings  which  have  made  the  reputation 
of  the  mills.  In  1848,  work  was  begun  in  the  mill,  and  the  first  cloth 
was  made  in  February  of  1849.  At  that  dme  there  were  fifteen 
thousand  spindles  and  two  hundred  looms.  An  extension  of  the  mills 
came  to  be  demanded  within  six  or  seven  years  by  the  increase  ol 
business,  and  about  1854.  another  four-storied  building,  with  attic. 
two  hundred  forty  feet  long  by  seventy  feet  wide,  was  erected  imme- 
diately adjoining  the  original  mill.  It  was  equipped  with  sixteen 
thousand  spindles  and  three  hundred  looms.  Soon,  however,  the 
product  of  the  two  mills  was  absorbed  by  the  market,  and  the  demand 
for  more  was  urgent.  Accordingly,  in  i860,  a  duplicate  of  mill  No. 
2,  with  sixteen  thousand  spindles  and  three  hundred  looms,  was  put 
in  operation.  In  those  days  the  three  stone  mills,  with  their  forty- 
seven  thousand  spindles,  seemed  an  enormous  establishment,  and 
many  men  wondered  if  it  were  wise  to  attempt  to  carry  on  so  immense 


I50 


NEW     BEDFORD. 


a  business.  But  less  than  ten  years  later  it  was  found  necessary  to 
erect  a  mill  which  of  itself  almost  doubled  the  capacity  of  manufac- 
ture. This  was  mill  No.  4,  begun  in  1868.  It  is  of  brick,  with  gran- 
ite foundation,  four  hundred  ninety-five  feet  long,  seventy-five  feet 
wide,  and  four  stories  high,  with  attic.  This  mill  contains  thirty-eight 
thousand  spindles  and  eleven  hundred  looms.  Seven  more  years 
passed,  and  in  1875,  No.  5  mill  came  into  being.  It  stands  on  aline 
with  No.  4,  with  which  it  is  substantially  uniform,  though  its  dimen- 
sions differ  somewhat.  Its  length  is  four  hundred  thirty-three  feet 
and  its  width  ninety-three  feet.  In  it  were  placed  fifty  thousand 
spindles  and  one  thousand  looms.  In  1874  fourteen  thousand  spindles 
had  been  distributed  among  the  various  mills  then  existing,  so  that  when 
mill  No.  5  was  completed,  the  entire  number  of  spindles  set  in  motion 
was  one  hundred  fifty  thousand.  Yet  even  these  failed  to  satisfy  the 
still  increasing  demand.  In  18S1-82,  No.  6  mill  was  built  of  brick, 
three  stories  high,  five  hundred  sixty-nine  and  one-half  feet  long,  and 
ninetv-five  feet  wide.  It  contains  fifty-one  thousand  spindles  and 
one  thousand  seventy-two  looms,  and  within  its  walls  are  employed 
six  hundred  workers.  With  its  completion  the  whole  number  of  hands 
employed  by  the  corporation  was  brought  up  to  twenty-six  hundred. 
Over  two  hundred  three  thousand  spindles  and  nearly  forty-five 
hundred  looms  are  in  operation. 

The  magnitude  of  the  motive  power  required  to  move  the  innu- 
merable machines  in  the  six  great  mills  is  almost  be^'ond  imagination. 
even  when  aided  by  figures  and  descriptions.  There  is  one  single 
upright  beam  Corliss  engine  of  three  hundred  horse  power,  one  pair 
of  engines  of  eight  hundred  horse  power,  one  pair  of  eleven  hundred, 
and  one  monster  pair  of  two  thousand  horse  power.  Visitors  to  the 
centennial  exposition  at  Philadelphia  in  1876  will  remember  the  great 
engine  which  was  among  the  marvels  of  that  collection  of  wonders, 
but  though  they  could  scarcely  comprehend  it,  at  that  verv  time  a 
larger  engine  was  running  in  New  Bedford.  This  enormous  piece  of 
machinery  has  a  stroke  of  ten  feet ;  the  weight  of  its  flv  wheel  is 
about  fifty  tons,  and  other  parts  are  in  like  proportion. 

The  products  of  the  Wamsutta  mills  are  some  seventy  or  eighty 
varieties,  in  all  grades  and  widths,  of  fine  shirtings,  cambrics,  muslins, 
lawns,  momie  cloth,  sateens,  and  cretonnes,  and  bleached  and  brown 
sheetings,  plain,  twilled,  and  double  warp,  in  all  widths  up  to  one 
hundred  twentv-four  inches. 


INDUSTRIAL    AND    FINANCIAL.  153 

Of  the  quality  of  Wamsutta  shirtings  and  sheetings  it  is  hardly 
necessary  to  speak.  Beginning  with  a  high  standard,  it  has  been  the 
constant  aim  not  only  to  maintain  it  but  to  elevate  it.  During  the 
war,  when  so  many  manufacturers  sacrificed  their  good  reputations 
by  abandoning  their  standards  and  trying  to  make  the  most  cloth 
possible  with  the  least  cotton,  the  Wamsutta  scrupulously  kept  up  the 
qualit}'  of  its  goods  in  every  particular.  These  goods  alone  made 
"Wamsutta"  a  household  word  in  almost  every  quarter  of  the  globe. 
The  mills  consume  weekly,  when  in  full  operation,  four  hundred  fifty 
bales  of  cotton,  making  an  annual  consumption  of  over  twenty  thou- 
sand bales,  out  of  which  is  manufactured  twenty-four  million  vards 
of  cloth, —  thousands  upon  thousands  of  miles  ! 

Great  care  is  exercised  in  the  selection  of  cotton  from  which  this 
cloth  is  made,  especially  with  regard  to  the  staple.  Everv  bale  under- 
goes a  rigid  inspection.  Much  of  the  cotton  used  by  the  Wamsutta 
mills  is  what  is  known  in  the  market  as  "benders,"  so  named  because  it 
is  growm  in  the  bends  of  the  Mississippi  river  where  the  rich  soil  pro- 
duces a  particularly  strong  staple.  The  system  of  tests  and  inspec- 
tions is  very  complete  and  thorough,  making  it  impossible  for  a  piece 
of  cloth  from  these  mills  to  get  into  the  market  unless  it  is  worth \-  to 
bear  the  name  "Wamsutta."  One-half  of  the  cloth  is  sold  directly  to 
the  trade  in  the  "gray"  or  "brown,"  as  it  is  termed.  The  remainder 
goes  directly  to  the  bleachery  of  W.  F.  &  F.  C.  Sayles,  of  Pawtucket, 
R.  I.,  the  largest  establishment  of  the  kind  in  the  United  States, 
where  all  Wamsutta  goods  are  bleached.  At  the  bleacherv  another 
inspection  of  the  cloth  is  made,  furnishing  one  more  safeguard  to  pro- 
tect the  good  name  of  Wamsutta. 

Of  the  operatives  who  make  this  cloth,  as  has  already  been  said, 
there  are  twenty-six  hundred.  They  are  principally  English,  Scotch, 
Irish,  and  French  Canadians,  with  a  slight  sprinkling  of  Americans 
and  a  few  of  other  nationalities.  The  corporation  provides  tor  them 
w^ell  built,  comfortable  tenements  of  six  and  seven  rooms  each  —  o\er 
three  hundred  in  number — and  rents  them  at  from  $6.50  to  ^9  a  month. 

At  the  beginning,  as  has  already  been  stated,  the  capital  of  the 
Wamsutta  mills  was  $160,000.  It  has  been  increased  several  times, 
as  follows:  In  1849,  to  .$300,000:  in  1855,  to  $600,000;  in  i860,  to 
$1,000,000:  in  1868,  to  $2,000,000:  in  1875,  ^o  $2,500,000:  and  in 
1882,  to  $3,000,000.      It  now  stands  at  the  last-named  figuie. 

Joseph  Grinnell,  w  ho   was  the   fn^st  president  of  the  corporation. 


154 


NEW    BEDFORD. 


served  it  faithfiilly  in  that  capacity,  giving  it  daily  and  constant 
thought,  and  exerting  all  his  powers  of  mind  and  body  in  its  behalf, 
to  the  time  of  his  death,  February  7,  1885.  He  was  succeeded  by 
Andrew  G.  Pierce,  who  had  been  treasurer  since  the  resignation  of 
Edward  L.  Baker,  on  the  25th  of  August,  1855.  Mr.  Pierce  now  is 
both  president  and  treasurer.  It  is  a  suggestive  fact,  as  showing 
the  rapid  changes  in  human  affairs,  that  of  all  who  were  in  any  way 
connected  with  the  management  of  the  mills  wiien  first  started,  only 
two — Thomas  Bennett.  Jr..  and  Mr.  Pierce — are  now  living. 

The  present  board  of  directors  of  the  Wamsutta  mills  is  composed 
of  the  following  named  gentlemen  :  William  W.  Crapo,  William  J. 
Rotch,  Edward  D.  Mandell,  Horatio  Hathaway,  Francis  Hathaway, 
Francis  B.  Greene,  and  Andrew  G.  Pierce. 

The  selling  agents  of  the  corporation  are  Lewis  Brothers  &  Co., 
of  New  York,  Philadelphia,  and  Baltimore,  and  Francis  A.  Foster, 
of  Boston. 

The  Potomska  mills  are  two  in  number,  located  on  South  Water 
street,  and  manufacture  fine  lawns,  sateens,  print  cloths,  cretonnes, 
jeans,  etc.  Potomska  mill  No.  i  was  erected  in  187 1  and  went  into 
operation  with  a  capital  of  $600,000.  This  mill  is  four  hundred 
twenty-seven  by  ninety-two  feet  in  area  and  four  stories  high,  with  a 
weaving  shed  one  hundred  eight  by  ninety-seven  feet,  one  story  high. 
It  is  provided  with  tbrty-eight  thousand  spindles  and  one  thousand  six 
looms. 

Potomska  mill  No.  2  was  built  in  1877,  when  the  capital  stock 
was  increased  to  $1,200,000.  The  main  building  is  three  hundred 
forty-eight  by  ninety-tw^o  feet  in  area,  four  stories  high,  with  an  ell  one 
hundred  eighty-four  by  ninety-two  feet,  two  stories  high,  a  w^eaving 
shed  one  hundred  eighty-four  by  ninety-two  feet,  one  story  high,  and 
a  picker  house  seventy-one  by  forty-seven  feet,  two  stories  high,  all 
of  brick.  This  mill  has  fifty-eight  thousand  three  hundred  twenty- 
eight  spindles  and  one  thousand  four  hundred  twenty-eight  looms. 
The  total  number  of  spindles  in  both  mills  is  therefore  one  hundred 
six  thousand  three  hundred  twenty-eight  and  the  total  number  of 
looms  two  thousand  four  hundred  twenty-four.  Both  mills  are  driven 
by  Corliss  double  twenty-eight  inch  cylinder,  five-foot  stroke  engines, 
of  eight  hundred  horse  powder  each.  The  two  mills  employ  about 
eleven  hundred  operatives.  The  company  owns  twenty-six  four- 
tenement  houses,  which  are  rented  to  the  help. 


INDUSTRIAL    AND    FINANCIAL.  157 


The  first  president  was  James  Robinson,  who  was  succeeded  by 
Edward  Kilburn,  who  was  in  turn  succeeded  by  Andrew  G.  Pierce. 
Hiram  Kilburn  acted  as  superintendent  and  agent  until  January,  1884, 
when  Manly  U.  Adams  succeeded  him  in  the  latter  capacity.  The 
present  officers  are  : 

President  —  Andrew  G.  Pierce. 

Treasurer  and  agent  —  Manl}^  U.  Adams. 

Directors  —  Horatio  Hathaway,  William  J.  Rotch,  William  W. 
Crapo,  Andrew  G.  Pierce,  Edward  Kilburn,  William  Watkins,  and 
Francis  Hathaway. 

The  Grinnell  Manutacturing  Corporation  was  organized  March 
14,  1882,  with  a  capital  of  $800,000  and  the  following  officers  : 

President — Edward  Kilburn. 

Treasurer  —  Otis  N.  Pierce. 

Directors  —  Edward  Kilburn,  New  Bedford,  Stephen  A.  Jenks, 
Pawtucket,  William  F.  Draper,  Hopedale,  Thomas  M.  Stetson, 
Joseph  A.  Beauvais,  Andrew  G.  Pierce,  Thomas  B.  Wilcox,  John  W. 
Macomber,  Charles  W.  Plummer,  and  Otis  N.  Pierce,  New  Bedford. 

There  has  been  no  change  in  officers,  but  upon  the  resignation  of 
William  J.  Kent,  to  accept  the  agency  of  the  Wamsutta  Mills,  James 
Brenand  was  chosen  superintendent.  Over  one  hundred  different 
stvles  of  plain  and  fancy  weaves  are  manufactured  here.  The  mill 
has  no  standard,  but  manufactures  entirely  on  contract.  The  mill 
started  January  29,  1883,  and  is  eight  hundred  eighty  feet  long, 
ninety-eight  feet  wide,  and  three  stories  high.  It  is  equipped  with 
sixty-eight  thousand  spindles  and  eighteen  hundred  looms,  and  em- 
ploys over  eight  hundred  hands.  The  company  owns  twenty-seven 
two  tenement  houses. 

The  Acushnet  mills  corporation  was  organized  in  November, 
1882,  vvitii  a  capital  of  $750,000,  and  early  in  the  ibllowing  year  a  four 
story  factory  was  erected  east  of  Water  street  and  south  of  Potomska 
mills.  Silesias,  sateens,  and  goods  for  the  printers  are  made  here. 
In  1887  a  second  mill  was  constructed  and  the  capital  stock  was 
increased  to  $1,000,000.  In  tiie  first  mill  erected  tiiere  are  sixty-eight 
thousand  spindles,  and  in  the  second  mill  thirty-two  thousand  spindles, 
making  a  total  of  one  hundred  thousand  spindles.  The  tcUal  number 
of  operatives  is  about  one  thousand.  The  corporation  owns  twenty- 
three  tenement  houses,  which  are  rented  to  the  heljt.  The  otiicers  are 
as  follows  : 


1^8  NEW    BEDFORD. 


President — Horatio  Hathaway. 

Treasurer — Joseph  F.  Knowles. 

Directors — Horatio  Hathaway,  Jonathan  Bourne,  WilHam  W. 
Crapo,  Thomas  H.  Knowles,  Francis  Hathaway,  William  A.  Robin- 
son, Loum  Snow,  Jr.,  and  Gilbert  Allen,  of  this  city,  and  Thomas  E, 
Bray  ton,  of  Fall  River. 

About  live  years  ago  William  D.  Howland,  who  was  at  that  time 
employed  in  the  office  of  the  Wamsutta  mills,  became  interested  in 
the  manufacture  of  cotton  yarns,  and  severing  his  connection  with 
that  corporation,  travelled  for  several  months,  making  a  careful  study 
of  that  specialty.  On  his  return  to  this  city  he  succeeded  in  inter- 
esting a  number  of  gentlemen,  and  in  March,  1883,  the  New  Bed- 
ford Manufacturing  Company  was  organized,  with  a  capital  stock  of 
$125,000  and  with  the  following  officers  : 

President  —  Charles  W.  Cliffi3rd. 

Treasurer — William  D.  Howland. 

Directors  —  Oliver  P.  Brightman,  Charles  W.  Clifford,  Edmund 
Grinnell,  Charles  W.  Plummer,  Edward  T.  Pierce,  William  D.  How- 
land, and  David  Wood. 

The  original  proposition  was  to  fit  the  old  flour  mill  in  the  north 
part  of  the  city  as  a  factory,  but  an  offer  made  for  the  property  was 
declined,  and  a  piece  of  land  on  the  south  side  of  Hillman  street, 
between  North  Second  and  Water  streets,  was  purchased  and  the  foun- 
dation of  a  mill  was  commenced  in  the  following  May.  This  mill 
is  two  hundred  twenty-six  by  fifty-two  feet  in  area  and  four  stories 
high.  The  mill  started  with  eleven  thousand  spindles  and  the  first 
yarn  was  shipped  in  January,  1884.  Since  that  time  additions  have 
been  made,  so  that  the  mill  now  has  twelve  thousand  mule  and  eight 
thousand  frame  spindles,  and  two  thousand  nine  hundred  eighty 
twister  spindles.  John  M.  Conway  &  Co.,  the  oldest  established  yarn 
house  in  New  York  City,  were  the  agents  of  the  corporation  and  took 
the  entire  product. 

From  the  outset  every  effort  was  made  to  manufacture  the  best 
yarn  in  the  market  and  improved  machinery  was  constantly  added  in 
order  to  produce  an  article  which  would  give  satisfaction  to  the  trade. 
Byron  F.  Card,  who  had  acquired  a  large  knowledge  of  yarns,  was 
engaged  as  superintendent,  and  to  his  knowledge  of  the  details  of  the 
manufacture  the  reputation  of  the  company's  yarns  in  the  market  is 
due,  in  a  measure.     Soon  after  the  industry  was  fairly  under  way, 


INDUSTRIAL    AND    FINANCIAL.  l6l 

John  H.  Hines,  another  experienced  man,  was  employed  to  take 
charge  of  the  spinning,  spooling,  reeling,  twisting,  and  warping 
departments. 

The  sales  of  the  first  year  aggregated  over  $90,000  in  value,  the 
earnings  being  about  10  per  cent,  of  this  sum.  This  showing  was 
very  gratifying  to  the  stockholders  and  encouraged  them  to  persevere 
in  the  enterprise.  No  dividend  was  declared,  but  the  facilities  were 
improved  and  the  twisting  equipments  increased. 

At  the  end  of  two  years  the  capital  was  increased  to  $150,000, 
by  issuing  $25,000  in  certificates,  representing  the  earnings  of  the 
corporation  during  this  period.  For  the  year  following  the  earnings 
continued  satisfactory,  and  dividends  amounting  to  eight  per  cent, 
were  paid. 

During  the  next  year  plans  were  made  for  doubling  the  capacity 
of  the  mill.  Real  estate  immediately  south  of  the  original  purchase 
was  secured,  and  the  corporation  thus  acquired  the  land  v/ithin  the 
square  bounded  by  Hillmaii,  North  Second,  North,  and  Water  streets. 
In  the  spring  of  1886,  the  building  of  a  second  mill  commenced,  with 
a  capacity  thirty  per  cent,  larger  than  that  of  No.  i  mill.  The  dimen- 
sions of  this  second  factory  are  two  hundred  eighteen  by  one  hundred 
feet,  and  it  is  three  stories  high.  It  started  in  the  autumn,  with  ten 
thousand  frame  spindles  and  five  thousand  twister  spindles,  and  the 
capital  was  increased  to  $500,000,  the  present  figure.  The  machin- 
ery has  since  been  increased  to  seventeen  tliousand  fifty-six  trame 
spindles  and  seven  thousand  twister  spindles. 

Even  then  the  corporation  was  forced  to  buy  yarn  to  meet  tiie 
demands  of  its  customers.  The  capacity  of  both  mills  has  since  been 
increased  for  the  manufacture  ot"  finer  grades  of  yarns.  To  do  this 
it  has  been  necessar}-  to  add  to  the  other  processes  a  combing  depart- 
ment. The  entire  number  of  hands  employed  at  present  is  three 
hundred. 

After  the  mills  were  fairly  organized,  Charles  W.  Clifiord  re- 
signed as  president  and  Edmund  Grinnell  served  in  that  capacity  for 
about  a  year,  when  he  also  resigned  and  Morgan  Rotch  was  elected 
and  to-day  holds  that  ofiice.  The  other  changes  in  the  ofiicers  of 
the  original  corporation  have  been  the  election  of  Morgan  Rotch  as 
a  director,  in  place  of  David  Wood,  and  of  George  F.  Kingman  as  a 
director,  in  place  of  Mr.  Grinnell. 

The  knowledge  and  experience  gained  in  establishing  and  carry- 


l62 


NEW  BEDFORD. 


ing  on  the  business  of  the  New  Bedford  Manufacturing  Company, 
and  the  demand  for  finer  grades  of  yarn,  suggested  a  wider  field. 
The  idea  of  additional  mills  had  been  constantly  discussed  by  the 
directors  of  the  old  company  and  it  began  to  appear  that  the  business 
was  capable  of  much  greater  development  than  was  at  first  thought 
possible.  These  and 
other  considerations 
led  Messrs.  How- 
land,  Rotch,  Plum- 
mer,  and  Clifford, 
with  some  others  not 
identified  with  the 
New  Bedford  Manu- 
facturing Compan}', 
to  purchase  a  large 
tract  of  land  as  the 
first  step  toward  the 
establishment  of  the 
most  extensive  and 
best  equipped  cotton 
yarn  manufacturing 
enterprise  in  the 
country. 

Negotiations  for  ^'^"^n^* 
the  purchase  of  a 
large  tract  of  land  in 
the  southwest  part 
of  the  cit}'^^  were  com- 
menced, but  inas- 
much as  the  owners 
were  widely  scat- 
tered over  the  globe, 
they  were  in  progress 
nearly  a  year  and  a 
half  before  the  mat- 
ter was  first  broached 
to  the  public.  At 
length  the  tide  to 
about    one    hundred 


INDUSTRIAL    AND    FINANCIAL. 


165 


c^f 


fift}'  acres  of  land,  including  the  old  Crapo  and  Ashley  farms 
and  a  part  of  the  real  estate  of  the  Cornelius  Howland  estate,  was 
secured.  This  land  is  favorably  situated  for  manufacturing  and  for 
the  houses  of  the  help.  A  part  of  the  property  is  finely  wooded, 
extending  from  the  northwest  corner  of  Clark's  cove  and  skirting  the 
salt  marsh  to  County  street. 

The  idea  of  the  purchase  of  so  large  a  tract  of  land  was  that  the 

company  might  profit  from  the  cer- 
tain advance  in  the  value  of  real  es- 
tate in  the  vicinity  of  the  mill.  The 
territory  has  been  laid  out  in  accord- 
ance with  modern  ideas.  It  will  be 
intersected  by  streets  fifty  and  sixty 
feet  wide,  and  breathing  places, 
which  may  one  day  be  fitted  as 
parks,  are  provided  for  in  the  plans. 
When  the  land  was  finally  se- 
cured, the  plans  for  the  first  mill 
having  been  perfected,  the  contracts 
for  building  and  machinery  were  at 
A  HOWLAND  MILL  COTTAGE.  ouce  issucd  and  the  company  organ- 

ized with  a  capital  of  $350,000  and  the  following  officers  : 

President  —  William  J.  Rotch. 

Treasurer  —  William  D.  Howland. 

Clerk  —  Charles  W.  Plummer. 

Directors  —  William  J.  Rotch,  Horatio  Hathaway.  Thomas  B. 
Tripp,  Charles  W.  Cliflxjrd,  Morgan  Rotch,  William' J.  Rotch,  and 
Charles  W.  Plummer. 

The  corporation  is  named  for  William  D.  Howland,  who  so  suc- 
cessfully managed  the  New  Bedford  Manufacturing  Company,  and  its 
title  is  the  Howland  Manufacturing  Company. 

The  mill  is  two  hundred  seventeen  by  one  hundred  feet  in  area 
and  four  stories  in  height,  with  a  two-story  picker  house,  sixty-two 
by  one  hundred  feet,  and  an  engine  and  boiler  house  ninety-nine  by 
forty  feet.  Work  was  commenced  May  i ,  1888,  and  the  main  building 
was  completed  August  i,  a  period  of  seven  weeks  only  having  been 
required  for  the  brickwork.  The  mill  started  with  twelve  thousand 
nine  hundred  fifty-two  mule  spindles,  twelve  thousand  two  hundred 
eighty-eight  frame  spindles,  and  six  thousand  one  hundred  forty-four 
twister  spindles.     About  one  hundred  fifty  hands  are  employed. 


l66  NEW    BEDFORD. 


The  company  is  building  forty  cottages  for  its  operatives,  and  the 
dwellings  are  models.  They  are  designed  for  single  families  and  are 
of  attractive  and  varied  architecture.  They  are  intended  to  provide 
comtbrtable,  prettv,  substantial,  and  convenient  homes,  adapted  to  the 
manner  of  life  of  the  best  class  of  cotton  mill  operatives; 

The  City  Manufacturing  Company,  which  commenced  in  Decem- 
ber, 1888,  the  manufacture  of  fine  medium  cotton  yarns  in  chains, 
skeins,  and  warps,  and  on  spools  and  beams,  was  incorporated  April 
23,  1888,  with  a  capital  stock  of  $250,000  and  the  following  officers  : 

President — Otis  N.  Pierce. 

Clerk  and  treasurer  —  Benjamin  Wilcox. 

Directors  —  Otis  N.  Pierce,  Thomas  B.  Wilcox,  Cyrenius  W. 
Haskins,  Thomas  H.  Knowles,  Edward  Kilburn,  J.  P.  Knowles,  Jr., 
and  Rufus  A.  Soule,  of  New  Bedford,  S.  A.  Jenks,  of  Pawtucket, 
William  H.  Parker,  of  Lowell,  and  Charles  Tucker,  of  Dartmouth. 

The  mill  is  located  at  the  foot  of  Grinnell  street  and  is  of  brick, 
one  hundred  twelve  bv  two  hundred  six  feet  in  area  and  three  stories 
high.  It  is  provided  with  twenty  thousand  four  hundred  eight}^  spin- 
dles and  seven  thousand  twister  spindles,  and  wall  employ,  when  in  full 
operation,  one  hundred  fifty  hands.  The  experience  of  the  manage- 
ment assures  a  successful  enterprise. 

The  cotton  manufacturing  enterprises  of  this  city,  as  they  now 
exist,  may  be  grouped  in  a  tabular  statement  as  follows  : 

Capital.       ! 

Wam?utta, $3,000,000  . 

Potoniska, 1,200,000  . 

Acushnet, 1,000,000  . 

Grinnell, 800,000  . 

New  Bedford  Manufacturing  Company,  500,000  . 
Cit}'-  Manufacturing  Company,  ....  250,000  . 
Howland, 350,000  . 

87,100,000  15  560,104  6100 

On  the  22d  of  December,  1888,  after  the  foregoing  pages  had 
been  completed,  the  Hathaway  Manufacturing  Company  was  organ- 
ized for  the  manufacture  of  cotton  cloths,  with  a  capital  of  $400,000 
and  the  following  officers  : 

President —  Horatio  Hathawav. 

Clerk  and  treasurer — Joseph  F.  Knowles. 

Directors — Horatio  Hathaway,  Jonathan  Bourne,  Sidney  W. 
Knowles,  Francis  Hathaway,  William  W.  Crapo,  of  New  Bedford, 
Thomas  E.  Brayton,  of  Fall  River,  and  Joseph  F.  Knowles,  of  New 
Bedford. 


f  Mills. 
6  .    . 

Spindles. 
.  203.000  . 

Employes. 
.  2600 

2  .    . 
2  .    . 
1  .    . 

.  106,328  . 
.  100,000  . 
.    68,000  . 

.  1100 
.  1000 
.    800 

2  .    . 

.    37,056  . 

.    300 

1  .    . 
1  .    . 

20,480  . 
25,240  . 

.    1.50 
.    150 

INDUSTRIAL    AND    FINANCIAL. 


169 


A  mill  of  thirty  thousand  spindles,  to  employ  about  four  hun- 
dred fift}'  hands,  will  be  erected  east  of  Water  street  and  south  of  the 
Acushnet  mills. 

Two  other  important  manu- 
tacturinf^  enterprises,  somewhat 
akin  to  the  cotton  industry,  may 
properl}-  be  mentioned  in  this  con- 
nection. 

The  New  Bedford  Cordage 
Company  was  established  in  1842 
by  Joseph  Ricketson,  William  J. 
Rotch.  and   Benjamin  S.  Rotch, 
and  in  January,  four  years  later, 
it  was  incorporated  by  a  special 
charter  from  the  Commonwealth, 
with  a  capital  of  $60,000.     This  z 
amount  was  increased  in  1849  ^^  ^ 
$75 ,000.     The  officers  at  the  time  S 
were  Joseph  Ricketson,  president,  g 
William  J.  Rotch,  clerk  and  treas-  § 
urer,     and      Joseph     Ricketson,  g 
William    T.   Rotch,   Benjamin   S.  § 
Rotch,and  Leander  A.  Plummer,  ^ 
directors.     In       March,       1857,  5 
William     T.    Rotch   was    chosen  -\ 


president  and  Leander  A.  Plum-  ^ 
mertreasurer  and  clerk.  The  for- 
mer continues  in  that  capacity,  but 
on  the  death  of  Mr.  Plummer,  in 
September,  1884,  Isaac  W.  Ben- 
jamin became  treasurer.  John 
W.  Macomber  is  general  manager 
of  the  enterprise. 

The  industry  has  been  very 
profitable  and  the  product  is  many 
times  larger  than  when  the  com- 
pany was  organized.  It  makes 
a  s|-)ecialty  of  the  manufacture  of 
patent  cordage  employed  in  boring  artesian  wl 


No  superior  arti- 


170  NEW     BEDFORD. 


cle  is  made  in  the  world,  and  the  cordage  rigging  used  on  the  Puritan 
and  other  fast  racing  yachts  is  made  here.  The  buildings,  nine  in 
number,  cover  an  area  of  four  acres,  located  within  the  square  bounded 
by  Court,  Park,  Ash,  and  Kempton  streets,  and  about  two  hundred 
fifty  hands  are  employed.  The  machinery  is  operated  by  a  superior 
steam  engine  of  five  hundred  horse  power  and  the  company  has 
adopted  all  tiie  latest  improvements  which  give  promise  of  pertecting 
the  product. 

The  Oneko  mill  is  situated  at  the  head  of  Purchase  street  and 
ladies'  all  wool  dress  goods,  broadcloths,  tricots,  cheviots,  and  fancies 
are  manufactured  here. 

The  corporation  was  organized  in  1882,  with  a  capital  of  $210,000 
and  the  mill  was  started  the  following  year.  The  main  building  is 
one  story  high,  with  a  monitor  roof,  and  four  hundred  by  one  hundred 
fifty  feet  in  area,  while  the  picker  and  dye  house  is  two  hundred  thirty 
by  fifty -two  feet  in  area. 

The  mill  is  provided  with  five  thousand  spindles,  sixty-threti 
broad  looms  ninety-five  and  one  hundred  ten  inches  in  width,  and 
twelve  sets  of  cards.  The  machinery  is  operated  by  a  two  hundred 
fifty-two  horse  power  Harris-Corliss  engine,  with  three  six-foot  boilers, 
made  by  Cunningham,  of  Boston. 

Between  seven  hundred  thousand  and  eight  hundred  thousand 
pounds  of  wool  are  worked  annually,  and  the  cloth  is  made  here  and 
colored  in  the  wool  and  piece.  The  annual  product  is  about  eight 
hundred  thousand  yards  of  cloth,  and  one  hundred  sixtv-five  hands 
are  employed. 

The  officers  of  the  corporation  are  as  follows  : 

President  —  Loum  Snow,  Jr. 

Treasurer — Robert  Snow. 

Directors  —  Edward  D.  Mandell,  Charles  W.  Plummer,  Frederick 
S.  Allen,  Charles  W.  Clifford,  George  S.  Homer,  Thomas  H.  Knowles, 
and  Loum  Snow,  Jr. 


INDUSTRIAL    AND    FINANCIAL.  173 


THE  MANUFACTURE  OF  OIL. 

To  mention  New  Bedford  without  devoting  some  space  to  her  oil 
manufactories  would  be  to  neglect  the  genius  of  the  lamp,  and  too 
much  credit  cannot  be  given  this  industry  for  the  present  position  of 
this  city. 

William  A.  Wall's  interesting  picture  of  "The  Origin  of  the  Whale- 
fishery,"  which  now  hangs  in  the  parlors  of  the  home  of  the  late  Mrs. 
Charles  W.  Morgan,  contains  an  illustration  of  the  first  oil  factory  in 
New  Bedford.  It  consisted  merely  of  a  trypot  under  an  old  shed  by 
the  shore.  Near  by  stands  a  man  pouring  oil  from  a  long  handled 
dipper  into  a  wooden -hooped  barrel.  Another  is  handling  over  the 
blubber,  while  a  third  is  coopering  a  barrel.  The  latter  is  encraired 
in  conversation  with  an  Indian  who  is  seated  upon  a  broken  mast. 
On  the  shore,  keeled  over  on  her  side,  is  one  of  the  small  sloops 
employed  in  whaling  at  that  time,  and  the  river  lies  outstretched  in 
the  background. 

Seated  upon  the  frame  of  a  grindstone,  and  giving  directions  to 
a  colored  servant  who  holds  his  horse,  is  seen  in  his  broad  brimmed 
hat  and  Quaker  coat,  the  founder  of  New  Bedford  and  the  father  of 
her  whale-fishery,  Joseph  Russell. 

The  blubber  taken  by  the  little  vessels,  on  their  return  from  the 
voyages,  which  were  of  but  a  few  weeks'  duration,  was  brought  as 
near  the  shore  in  the  vessels  as  possible,  when  the  butts  containing  the 
blubber  were  drawn  to  Mr.  Russell's  trNhouse  by  ox  teams.  This  was 
as  early  as  1765. 

Previous  to  the  Revolution  a  candlehouse  was  built  b_\-  Mr.  Rus- 
sell, and  Capt.  Chafee,  who  had  been  engaged  in  manufacturing 
spermaceti  in  Lisbon,  was  employed  by  Mr.  Russell  at  a  salary  of 
$500  per  annum.  This  building  stood  near  the  corner  of  Centre  and 
Front  streets  and  was  burned  by  the  British.  Fift\-  years  after,  or 
thereabouts,  a  number  of  factories  were  in  operation.  Among  the 
first  of  these  factories  was  that  of  Samuel  Rodman.  The  building 
occupied  by  him  is  now  standing  on  Water  street,  at  the  corner  of 
Rodman  street.  It  was  built  of  stone  and  covered  with  plaster,  and  is 
at  present  unoccupied.  Then  there  was  the  factory  of  Humphrey 
Hathaway,  on  the  north  side  of  School  street,  west  of  Fourth,  and 


ijr  "ll'l 

y,      Wfk'.i 


M 


INDUSTRIAL    AND    FINANCIAL.  1 75 

west  of  this  stood  the  factory  of  Isaac  Rowland,  Jr.  From  the  best 
information  obtainable,  the  old  "marsh  candle-works"  were  built  by 
William  Rotch  &  Sons,  but  this  may  not  be  a  fact.  These  works 
occupied  the  site  on  which  the  gas  works  now  stand,  and  the  business 
here  was  subsequently  conducted  by  Francis  Rotch  and  Charles  W. 
Morgan.  At  each  of  these  factories  sperm  oil  and  candles  were  man- 
ufactured and  whale  oil  was  refined. 

Then  John  James  Rowland  built  candle  works  at  the  corner 
of  Second  and  Middle  streets,  the  building  now  occupied  as  a  soap 
factory,  and  soon  after  James  Henry  Howland,  a  son  of  the  above- 
named  gentleman,  and  George  Hussey  established  the  factory  at  the 
Smoking  Rocks.  William  W.  Swain  built  a  factory  on  the  north 
side  of  Middle  street  and  the  vat  house  of  this  building  is  now  occu- 
pied as  a  storehouse  by  Charles  S.  Paisler  &  Co.  Andrew  Robeson 
built  a  factory  on  Ray  street  which  subsequently  came  into  the  pos- 
session of  Edward  Mott  Robinson.  George  Howland  had  a  factor}- 
on  Howland's  wharf  and  William  T.  Russell  engaged  in  the  manufac- 
ture at  86  Third  street.  Charles  W.  Morgan  carried  on  oil  works 
at  82  South  Water  street,  and  one  of  the  older  factories  was  at  96 
First  street,  having  been  established  by  David  Coffin.  There  was 
also  a  factory  on  Fish  Island. 

Samuel  Leonard  was  at  one  time  the  largest  oil  refiner  in  the 
country.  He  established  the  factory  on  the  north  side  of  Leonard 
street,  east  of  Water,  and  he  bought  and  sold  oil  in  very  large 
quantities.  Some  time  in  the  50's  Samuel  Leonard  &  Son  erected  the 
stone  building  on  Acushnet  avenue,  now  the  carriage  factory  of 
George  L.  Brownell,  occupying  all  that  part  of  the  present  structure 
which  is  of  stone.  Nehemiah  Leonard  also  operated  a  factory  near 
that  of  Samuel,  very  successfully.  At  a  later  date  Sanford  &  How- 
land, liie  latter,  Sydney  Howland,  being  a  grandson  of  John  Avery 
Parker,  took  the  oil  refinery  of  William  W.  Swain.  While  he  owned 
it,  it  was  burned,  making  a  great  fire  for  those  days.  It  was  rebuilt 
and  was  subsequently  taken  by  Milliken  Bros.,  of  Boston,  and  then 
passed  into  the  hands  of  Eben  Milliken,  of  this  city.  George  T. 
Baker  established  the  factory  on  South  street,  which  subsequently 
passed  into  the  hands  of  Oliver  and  George  O.  Crocker  and  then  to 
Charles  H.  Leonard.  The  business  here  is  now  carried  on  by  George 
Delano's  sons,  who  succeeded  their  father.  Mr.  Baker  afterwards 
built  the  factory  at  the  corner  of  Water  and  Madison  streets,  now  occu- 


176 


NEW    BEDFORD. 


pied  by  William  A.  Robinson  &  Co.  Cornelius  Grinnell  built  a 
factory  on  First  street,  at  the  northwest  corner  of  South,  and  Joseph 
Ricketson  built  a  factory  at  the  northwest  corner  of  Grinnell  and  First 
streets.     The  two  latter  were  subsequently  burned.     The   Hastings 


CUSTOM   HOUSE  AND  POST  OFFICE, 
built  the  factory  at  the  foot  of  Grinnell  street,  which  is  still  in  opera- 
tion, and  S.  Thomas  &  Co.  established  the  factory  on  Prospect  street, 
now  occupied  by  Homer  Bros.,  about  the  year  1855. 

The  above  histor}^  is  perhaps  not    absolutely  accurate  and  no 
attempt  has  been   made  to  give  a  list  of  the  firms  which  succeeded 


INDUSTRIAL    AND    FINANCIAL.  I77 

the  founders  of  the  various  works.      Such  a  list  would  include  mem- 
bers of  nearly  all  of  our  oldest  representative  families. 

The  decline  of  the  oil  factories  here  dates  from  the  advent  of 
petroleum,  but  the  discovery  was  not  felt  to  any  extent  until  after  the 
war.  When  the  war  broke  out  the  prices  of  sperm  oil  and  bone 
advanced  very  materially  and  our  merchants  made  large  profits,  pro- 
portionate to  the  risks,  and  as  the  owners  of  ships  were  subsequently 
reimbursed  for  the  destruction  of  their  vessels,  our  oil  merchants  and 
manufacturers  were  greatly  enriched. 

About  the  year  1857  Abraham  H.  Howland  purchased  the 
Joseph  Ricketson  works  and  commenced  experimenting  in  the  distil- 
lation of  oil  from  coal.  A  company  was  formed  consisting  of  Abraham 
H.  Howland,  William  C.  Taber,  Joseph  C.  Delano,  William  P. 
Howland,  John  Hicks,  Weston  Howland,  Henry  T.  Wood,  and  B. 
Franklin  Howland,  which  established  and  successfully  operated  a 
coal  oil  factor}^. 

Weston  Howland,  the  present  collector  of  the  port,  claims,  and 
so  far  as  the  writer  knows  the  claim  is  not  disputed,  that  he  was  the 
first  person  to  successfully  refine  petroleum  oil.  There  is  no  doubt 
but  Mr.  Howland  was  the  first  to  place  refined  petroleum  on  the  mar- 
ket and  the  stor}'  of  this  discovery,  which  effected  a  revolution  in  the 
oil  business  of  the  world,  is  very  interesting. 

In  i860  Mr,  Howland  was  the  secretary  of  the  New  Bedford 
Coal  Oil  Company.  While  in  New  York  on  business,  he  was  told 
at  the  office  of  Josiah  Macy  &  Sons,  the  New  York  agents  for  his 
company,  that  Schieftelin  Bros.,  the  well-known  chemists,  wished 
to  see  him.  At  the  office  of  the  latter  he  met  their  leading  chemist, 
who  introduced  the  subject  of  petroleum. 

Petroleum  had  not  yet  been  refined.  It  had  been  known  tor 
years  and  formerly  had  been  collected  by  the  Indians,  who  had  taken 
it  from  the  Alleghany  river  and  Oil  creek  by  spreading  blankets  upon 
the  water,  and  wringing  them  when  saturated.  It  was  called  Seneca 
oil  and  was  used  as  a  medicine. 

At  that  time  there  were  a  lew  wells  in  Pennsylvania  and  Schieffelin 
Bros,  had  about  two  thousand  barrels  of  the  oil  on  hand.  Mr.  How- 
land consented  to  make  an  attempt  at  refining  the  oil  and  a  barrel 
was  shipped  to  him.  Then  Mr.  Howland  commenced  his  experi- 
ments. He  procured  a  large  kettle  from  his  kitchen  and  fashioned 
a  crude  condenser,  and  after  a  few  trials  his  attempts  at  distillation 


178  NEW    BEDFORD. 


were  successful.  But  the  oil  procured  was  thick  and  muddy,  with  a 
vile  odor,  and  had  yet  to  be  refined.  Mr.  Rowland  accordingly  filled 
a  milkpan  with  the  oil  and  experimented  with  alkalies  and  water,  but 
the  result  was  a  foggy  mixture  of  oil  and  water.  Mr.  Rowland  was 
discouraged  and,  placing  the  pan  in  his  barn,  left  it. 

When  he  returned  he  looked  at  his  oil  and  found  the  problem 
solveil.  Mr.  Rowland  had  left  the  door  of  his  barn  ajar  and  as  the 
sun  wore  around  its  beams  had  reached  the  oil,  and  the  process  was 
completed. 

That  evening  Mr.  Rowland  filled  three  clean  lamps,  one  with 
coal  oil  manufactured  at  the  works  of  the  New  Bedford  Oil  Company, 
another  with  Downer's  coal  oil,  and  a  third  with  petroleum.  Then 
he  lighted  the  lamps  and  called  in  his  brother  William  to  judge 
which  was  the  best.  The  latter  at  once  selected  the  petroleum  lamp 
as  giving  the  largest  and  brightest  flame,  wMth  the  least  smoke. 

Mr.  Rowland  was  convinced  that  petroleum  was  a  success  and 
that  coal  oil  could  not  compete  with  it.  Re  at  once  purchased  the 
oil  works  at  Fish  Island,  procured  stills  and  commenced  the  manu- 
facture of  petroleum  for  the  market.  Re  purchased  fifteen  hundred 
barrels  of  oil  of  Schieft'elin  Bros,  at  twenty-five  cents  a  galk)n  and 
sold  the  refined  oil  for  seventy-five  cents  as  rapidly  as  it  could  be 
manufactured. 

One  day  Mr.  Rowland  learned  that  the  Downers  had  purchased 
all  the  oil  in  the  market  and  had  commenced  the  manufacture  of  the 
oil.  Mr.  Rowland  sent  an  agent  to  the  oil  wells  in  November,  i860, 
who  contracted  for  the  entire  product.  In  the  Januar}'  following  the 
works  were  destroyed  by  an  explosion  and  two  men  were  killed. 
The  machinery  was  covered  with  sails  that  it  might  not  be  copied  and 
the  following  day  rebuilding  commenced.  A  great  deal  of  oil  was 
sent  to  California.  It  w^as  purchased  at  the  refinery  by  William  P. 
Rowland,  shipped  across  the  isthmus  and  over  the  mountains  on 
jackasses  and  sold  readily  at  $2  a  gallon.  The  oil  was  shipped  in 
tin  cans,  and  the  making  of  them  became  quite  an  important  industry 
here  at  one  time.  Most  of  the  cans  were  made  by  Stephen  A.  Tripp 
and  Wood  &  Brightman. 

Subsequently  the  Seneca  Oil  Works  were  built  at  Willis  Point 
and  two  small  refineries  were  built  in  Fairhaven.  Mr.  Rowland  was 
the  last  to  abandon  the  manufacture  in  this  vicinity.  Re  retired  from 
the  oil  business  eight  or  ten  j^ears  ago. 


INDUSTRIAL    AND    FINANCIAL.  l8l 


Nearly  all  of  the  sperm  oil  taken  is  rertned  here,  and  in  round 
numbers  fifteen  thousand  barrels  of  sperm,  twelve  thousand  barrels 
of  whale,  and  eight  thousand  barrels  of  fish  oil  are  refined  in  New 
Bedford  annually. 

The  factory  of  George  Delano's  Sons,  on  South  street,  is  the 
largest  grease  oil  refiner}'  in  the  world.  The  buildings  cover  nearly 
iwo  acres  of  land  and  in  the  busy  season  forty-five  men  are  employed. 
The  individual  members  of  the  firm  are  Stephen  C.  L.  and  James 
Delano,  who  succeeded  the  firm  at  the  head  of  which  was  their  father, 
in  1884.  George  Delano  entered  the  employ  of  Charles  H.  Leonard 
in  1855,  '^^^  took  the  business  January  i,  1869.  The  New  York 
office  of  the  firm  is  at  140  Front  street,  in  a  building  which  the 
various  firms  that  have  operated  the  works  have  occupied  since 
1850. 

The  company  manufactures  sperm,  whale,  sea  elephant,  fish, 
and  cotton  seed  oils,  patent  and  parafflne  wax  candles,  spermaceti, 
whale  and  fish  oil  pressings,  and  sperm  and  whale  oil  soap.  All 
crude  oils  are  worked  out  to  definite  results  at  the  factor}'  and  the 
product  is  shipped  to  every  part  of  the  world. 

As  this  is  a  representative  factory,  it  will  not  be  out  of  place  to 
tell  briefly  of  the  processes  to  which  the  oils  are  subjected. 

The  crude  oils  as  they  are  landed  in  casks  from  our  whaleships 
are  a  thick,  dirty  brown  in  color.  The  quality  is  determined  by  the 
appearance  and  by  tasting,  and  the  buyers  become  very  expert  in 
their  judgment. 

The  products  of  sperm  oil  are  the  winter  sperm,  which  is  the  first 
running  from  the  crude  oil  after  it  has  granulated,  the  spring  sperm, 
the  summer  sperm,  the  taut  pressed,  which  leaves  the  unrefined 
sperm,  and  finally  spermaceti,  with  a  melt  test  of  one  hundred  fifteen 
degrees  Fahrenheit.  The  sperm  oil  is  not  sold  in  its  natural  color, 
however,  but  is  half  bleached  by  a  process  which  leaves  s{)erm  oil 
soap  as  a  product. 

The  product  of  the  whale  and  other  heavy  oils,  such  as  sea  ele- 
phant, fish,  and  cotton  seed,  are  the  winter,  spring,  and  summer 
pressings,  which  leave  stearine.  This  latter  product  has  the  con- 
sistency of  tallow.  Soaps  are  made  from  all  of  these  oils  in  the 
bleaching  process. 

The  sperm  oil  is  largely  used  for  oiling  machinery,  although  it  is 
usually  compounded  with  cheaper  oils  before  it  can  be  used  for  this 


1 82  NEW    BEDFORD. 

purpose.  It  was  formerly  used  for  burning  in  lighthouses,  and  up  to 
i860  the  works  held  a  contract  to  supply  the  entire  lighthouse  system 
of  the  United  States.  The  whale  oil  is  used  for  illuminating  pur- 
poses. A  vast  quantity  is  consumed  in  engine  headlights,  being  com- 
bined with  the  hydro-carbon  oils.  Considerable  fish  oil  is  used  for 
burning  in  mines.  Large  quantities  of  the  soap  are  shipped  to  Cali- 
fornia, Florida,  and  other  fruit  growing  sections,  where  it  is  employed 
in  washing  orange  and  other  trees  to  protect  them  from  the  ravages 
of  insects,  and  acts  as  a  fertilizer. 

The  stearine  is  used  in  large  quantities  by  the  mills,  where  it  is 
used  as  sizing  for  yarns,  and  much  of  it  is  exported  for  smearing  sheep 
before  shearing  the  wool.  It  is  also  used  in  making  the  better  grades 
of  soap,  as  filling  for  leather,  and  in  oleomargarine  to  some  extent. 

When  the  sperm  oil  is  brought  tVom  the  wharves  to  the  works, 
it  is  turned  into  deck  tanks,  with  a  capacity  of  six  hundred  gallons 
each,  and  from  here  it  is  pumped  into  the  bleaching  tanks.  There 
are  three  of  these,  the  largest  having  a  capacity  of  five  thousand  gal- 
lons, and  two  others  with  a  capacity  of  thirty-one  hundred  gallons 
each.  Within  these  tanks  are  coils  of  steam  pipes  and  the  oil  is 
boiled  with  a  soda  lye.  The  sediment  which  precipitates  to  the  bottom 
is  drawn  oft'  and  manufactured  into  soap. 

The  oil  is  then  drawn  off'  and  placed  in  barrels.  These  barrels 
of  oil  are  then  placed  in  the  pits  and  are  put  under  ice.  The  "pits" 
are,  in  reality,  a  huge  ice  chest,  with  a  capacity  for  holding  one  thou- 
sand barrels.  As  much  as  thirty  tons  of  ice  are  often  used  in  a  single 
day,  and  the  barrels  remain  here  for  about  ten  days,  until  the  oil 
freezes.  The  product,  after  the  pressings,  is  the  virgin  winter  oil, 
which  runs  limpid  at  a  temperature  ranging  as  low  as  twenty-eight 
degrees  below  zero.  In  the  coldest  weather  the  oil  is  sometimes  placed 
out  of  doors  where  the  cold  atmosphere  effects  the  same  results  as  if 
the  oil  were  placed  in  the  pits. 

After  the  first  pressing,  the  sperm  is  again  placed  in  hempen  bags 
and  in  the  spring  it  is  subjected  to  another  pressing.  The  product  is 
the  spring  oil.  In  the  summer,  when  the  sperm  has  become  dryer 
yet,  it  is  again  subjected  to  hydraulic  pressure,  and  the  result  is  a  thin 
oil  known  as  the  summer  oil. 

After  the  oil  has  been  removed  by  repeated  pressings,  the  sperm 
is  boiled  with  an  alkaline  lye,  washed  with  water  and  moulded  into 
blocks,  which  are  in  appearance  as  white  and  lustrous  as  alabaster. 


INDUSTRIAL    AND    FINANCIAL.  185 


On  splitting  these  blocks,  crystallized  surfaces  appear,  resembling  pure 
quartz. 

From  these  blocks  the  candles  are  moulded.  The  wicks  are 
adjusted  by  hand,  and  the  candles  are  the  best  in  use.  Coloring  mat- 
ter is  introduced,  in  so  small  a  quantity,  however,  as  not  to  destroy 
their  beautiful  transparency.  Gamboge  gives  them  a  yellow  tint,  car- 
mine a  red,  and  Prussian  blue  is  used  to  produce  the  blue  color. 
Very  many  paraffine  wax  candles  are  made  at  this  factory,  but  the 
paraffine  wax,  being  a  hydro-carbon  product,  is  purchased.  The  can- 
dles made  here  range  in  size  from  those  so  small  that  it  requires 
twelve  to  a  pound,  to  single  candles  two  pounds  in  weight.  Between 
five  hundred  thousand  and  six  hundred  thousand  pounds  of  spermaceti 
and  parafHne  wax  are  made  into  candles  every  year.  The  candles  are 
made  in  machines  and  are  cooled  by  water.  Most  of  the  paraffine 
wax  candles  are  made  in  the  winter,  owing  to  the  length  ot  time 
required  for  them  to  cool  in  the  summer. 

The  whale,  fish,  and  other  heavy  oil  processes  are  somewhat 
different.  After  the  oil  comes  from  the  pits  it  is  run  through  flannel 
strainers.  The  foots  which  remain  are  then  subjected  to  repeated 
pressings  and  require  bleaching  by  the  alkaline  process  before  they 
are  marketable.  The  stearine  from  whale  oil  is  very  white  and  hand- 
some.     That  from  the  menhaden  oil  is  darker. 

All  of  the  oil  is  finally  sun  bleached,  and  under  the  glass  roofs 
there  are  eight  tanks  with  a  capacity  of  fifteen  hundred  gallons  each, 
seven  tanks  with  a  capacity  of  twelve  hundred  gallons  each,  and  three 
tanks  with  a  capacity  of  eighteen  hundred  gallons  each.  The  fish 
oil  is  refined  by  a  patent  process  at  these  works  and  is  rendered  ver}- 
white  and  handsome,  although,  of  course,  it  is  more  gummy  than  the 
sperm. 

A  cooper  shop  is  connected  with  the  establishment,  and  the  works 
are  provided  with  every  modern  impiovemeiU  in  the  way  of  pumps, 
presses,  and  other  machinery. 

The  reputation  of  the  works  is  the  best.  No  gallon  of  oil  ever 
went  out  of  the  works  which  was  not  strictly  pure  and  the  tirm  jioints 
with  pride  to  the  fact  that  its  oldest  customers,  in  sending  in  their 
orders,  never  trouble  themselves  to  specify  that  the  oil  shall  be  "pure," 
knowing  that  no  adulterated  oils  are  ever  sent  out  from  this  establish- 
ment. 


INDUSTRIAL    AND    FINANCIAL.  187 

About  three  years  ago  the  firm  of  Swan  &  Finch,  No.  151 
Maiden  Lane,  New  York,  leased  the  extensive  oil  works  of  Hastings 
&  Co.,  at  the  foot  of  Grinnell  street,  having  an  area  of  five  and 
one-half  acres.  This  firm  is  the  largest  manufacturer  of  fish  oil  in 
the  country  and  the  refinery  here  is  used  for  this  purpose.  About  a 
dozen  men  are  employed  and  Frank  Corey  is  the  local  manager.  The 
firm  also  has  factories  at  Brooklyn  and  New  York  city,  and  has  facil- 
ities here  for  refining  whale  and  sperm  oil. 

William  A.  Robinson  &  Co.  are  among  the  largest  refiners  of 
sperm  and  whale  oil  in  the  country.  This  firm  was  established  in 
Rhode  Island  in  1829,  transferring  its  business  to  this  city  in  1853, 
when  a  factory  was  occupied  on  the  site  of  the  present  passenger 
station  of  the  Old  Colony  railroad.  In  1863  the  firm  moved  to  the 
factory  it  now  occupies,  No.  50  South  Water  street.  The  main  build- 
ing is  two  stories  high,  with  a  frontage  of  forty  feet  on  Water  street. 
It  is  connected  with  smaller  buildings  of  brick  and  stone,  extending 
through  to  Front  street,  a  distance  of  two  hundred  forty  feet.  There 
are  large  sheds  for  storing  oil  on  Walnut  street,  south  of  the  factory 
buildings.  The  buildings  are  lighted  by  gas  and  heated  by  steam, 
and  employment  is  given  to  fifteen  or  twenty  hands.  The  manufac- 
ture and  sale  of  sperm  and  whale  oils  and  their  products  is  the  prin- 
cipal business  in  this  city,  although  the  firm  deals  largely  in  other 
oils.  The  Providence  house  handles  potato,  wheat,  and  corn  starch, 
lard,  olive,  paraffine,  and  kerosene  oils. 

The  oil  and  candle  manufactory  of  George  S.  Homer  was  estab- 
lished about  the  year  1850,  and  in  1857  the  firm  of  S.  Thomas  &  Co. 
was  formed.  Ten  years  later  Mr.  Homer  succeeded  to  the  business, 
as  surviving  partner.  The  buildings,  with  sheds,  occupy  an  area  of 
one  and  one-half  acres  and  are  located  on  Front,  South,  and  Pros- 
pect streets.  The  factory  comprises  two  main  buildings,  one  hundred 
twenty-five  by  forty-five  and  seventy-five  by  forty -five  feet,  respect- 
ively, containing  pits,  vats,  cisterns,  kettles,  strainers,  and  hydraulic 
presses.  There  is  a  boiler  house  with  a  boiler  of  fifty  horse  power,  a 
cooperage  for  repairing  casks  and  barrels,  with  a  room  above  for 
moulding  candles  and  preparing  the  spermaceti  of  commerce.  Sev- 
enteen hands  are  employed  and  the  reputation  of  the  factory  ranks 
with  the  best.  In  the  year  18S8  there  were  manufactured  on  the 
premises  live  thousand  barrels  of  crude  sperm  oil,  seven  thousand 
barrels  of  crude  whale  oil,  and  a  quantity  of  blackfish,  menhaden, 
and  other  oils. 


l88  NRW    BEDFORD. 

William  F.  Nye  is  the  largest  manufacturer  of  sewing  machine 
and  watch  and  clock  oils  in  the  world.  His  factories  are  on  Fish 
island  and  are  surrounded  on  three  sides  hy  wharves.  Mr.  Nye  com- 
menced the  manufacture  of  lubricating  oils  in  1844,  ^^  Fairhaven,  on 
a  small  scale,  and  afterwards  carried  on  the  business  at  the  foot  of 
Walnut  street  in  this  city.  In  1877  he  purchased  the  large  stone 
factory  on  Fish  Island  and  has  since  erected  several  large  buildings. 
The  old  factory  is  of  stone,  three  stories  high,  and  about  ninety  by 
fortv  feet  in  area.  Subsequently  a  factory  of  wood  and  stone,  three 
stories  high  and  fifty- five  by  sixty  feet  in  area,  was  built,  and  a  two  story 
building  of  stone,  about  fifty  by  fifty  feet  in  area.  About  one  hundred 
fifty  thousand  gallons  of  sewing  machine,  watch,  and  clock  oils  are 
disposed  of  annually  and  in  addition  to  the  oil  shipped  in  bulk,  over 
two  million  one  hundred  fift}'  thousand  bottles  of  various  sizes  are 
filled  and  sold  each  year. 

The  processes  are  simple,  but  the  best  of  stock  and  the  greatest 
care  and  honesty  were  necessary  to  earn  the  reputation  which  Mr. 
Nye  holds.  Wherever  sewing  machines,  watches,  or  clocks  are  made 
Mr.  Nye's  oils  are  known.  He  supplies  large  quantities  to  the 
Waltham,  Elgin,  and  other  celebrated  companies  in  this  country  and 
Switzerland,  and  the  famous  cathedral  clock  at  Strasburg  is  lubricated 
with  oil  made  at  this  factory. 

Sewing  machine  oil  is  a  mixture  of  sperm  oil  and  bone-filtered 
petroleum.  It  is  landed  on  Mr.  Nye's  wharves  in  barrels  and  is 
placed  in  wells.  From  here  it  passes  into  standpipes,  where  it  is 
agitated  and  thoroughly  mixed  by  air  blasts.  In  this  process  the 
lighter  gases  pass  away.  There  are  three  of  these  standpipes,  each 
having  a  capacity  of  one  hundred  fifty  barrels.  After  agitation  the 
oil  becomes  white  and  is  left  sixty  days  to  settle.  Then  a  Worthing- 
ton  duplex  steam  pump  forces  the  oil  into  distributing  tanks  in  the 
attic.  A  filler,  patented  by  Joseph  K.  Nye,  a  son  of  the  proprietor, 
is  used  here  and  with  it  a  gross  of  bottles  can  be  filled  in  one  minute. 
The  bottling  rooms  are  very  complete.  After  washing,  the  bottles  are 
placed  in  a  drying  room  where  the  mercury  stands  at  two  hundred 
degrees  Fahrenheit.  In  addition  to  the  fillers,  a  corking  machine, 
invented  by  Mr.  Nye,  is  used. 

The  watch,  chronometer,  and  clock  oil  is  composed  of  porpoise 
jaw  and  blackfish  head  oil.  Several  years  ago  an  unparalleled  school 
of  blackfish  appeared  on  the  coast  of  Massachusetts  and  twenty-two 


190 


NEW    BEDFORD. 


hiindrcd  of  these  monster  fish  were  driven  into  inlets  and  bayous, 
where  the  receding  tide  left  them  an  easy  prey.  The  entire  catch  was 
secured  by  Mr.  Nye,  ensuring  a  supply  of  oil  which  will  last  many 
years.  The  process  of  refining  these  oils  for  watches  and  clocks 
requires  about  two  years. 

Recently  jj^lr.  Nye  has  established  a  refinery  at  St.  Albans,  Vt., 
and  the  oil  passes  through  the  processes  with  the  temperature  thirty- 
five  degrees  below  zero.  By  this  means  the  oil  is  freed  from  all 
impurities  that  corrode  and  blacken  the  pivots  of  a  watch  and  it  is 
perfectly  unatiected  by  heat  or  cold.  It  is  much  whiter  than  oil  re- 
fined in  these  latitudes. 

The  oil  is  strained  through  strainers  of  cotton  flannel  and  is  then 
placed  in  tubes,  where  it  stands  for  about  eighteen  months.  These 
tubes,  or  tanks,  are  kept  in  a  fire  proof  vault,  and  fine  watch  and  clock 
oil  to  the  value  of  ten  thousand  dollars  is  stored  here,  in  forty  tanks, 
each  with  a  capacity  of  about  fifty-five  gallons. 

Although  less  than  half  a  drop  of  oil  is  used  on  a  single  watch, 
some  watch  manufacturers  order  this  valuable  lubricator  by  the  barrel. 
Large  quantities  of  the  oil  are  also  used  on  type  writing  machines. 

When  the  writer  called -at  Mr.  Nye's  factory,  he  had  stored  on 
one  floor  one  hundred  tons  of  empty  bottles,  constituting  four  or  five 
months'  supply,  and  twelve  thousand  empty  boxes. 

The  factory  is  well  arranged,  being  supplied  with  hoisting  engines 
and  steam  elevators.  There  is  also  apparatus  for  refining  heavy  oils 
and  Mr.  N\'e  does  something  in  this  line,  besides  doing  a  jobbing 
business  in  all  lubricating  oils. 

Mr.  Nye  has  recently  commenced  the  manufacture  of  an  oleo- 
tannatine  compound,  which  is  a  leather  preserver  and  a  softener  and 
cleaner  for  harnesses.  He  also  makes  shoe  dressings  and  edge 
blacking. 

About  twenty-two  hands  are  employed  at  the  factory. 

The  Ezra  Kelley  famous  chronometer,  w^atch,  and  clock  oils  are 
manufactured  at  Mount  Pleasant.  These  oils  are  used  in  the  watch 
and  clock  factories  of  the  world  and  the  sales  now  aggregate  six 
hundred  gross  per  year.  About  three  hundred  fifty  gallons  of  crude 
stock  are  required  for  a  year's  supply.  Mr.  Kelley  is  now  in  the  ninety- 
first  year  of  his  age  and  has  manufactured  his  celebrated  oils  for  the 
past  sixty-two  years.  He  was  the  first  to  apply  fish  oils  for  the  lubri- 
cation of  clock  machinery.     Mr.  Kelley  was  born  in  Dennis,  Mass., 


mi:      •] 

»',*  ■■■•MP,.' 


-0  .   , 


^     'i^kf  .-■.■,'■. 


a     /r:J-     h 


i  I." 


Il:  ^ 


Mi: 


INDUSTRIAL    AND    FINANCIAL.  193 


in  1798  and  came  to  this  city  in  1818  and  engaged  in  the  manufacture 
of  clocks.  At  this  time  nut  oils  were  used  exclusively,  here  and 
abroad,  in  clocks  and  watches.  Mr.  Kelley  experimented  with  the 
oil  of  the  porpoise  and  finally  succeeded  in  producing  a  lubricator  for 
light  bearings  which  was  unsurpassed  at  that  time.  When  the  man- 
ufacture of  clocks  b}'  machinery  commenced,  Mr.  Kelley  abandoned 
his  trade  and  started  for  New  York  with  a  Httle  case  of  bottles  and 
commenced  the  introduction  of  his  now  celebrated  oils.  Tiieir  superi- 
ority was  quickly  recognized.  His  market  grew  until  it  now  includes 
the  entire  civilized  world,  and  the  manufacturer  has  crossed  the  ocean 
ten  times,  taking  large  orders  from  the  leading  factories  in  England, 
France,  Germany,  and  Switzerland.  Wherever  exhibited,  these  oils 
have  received  first-class  awards  and  among  them  are  a  diploma  given 
at  the  Geneva  exhibition  in  1880  and  a  diploma  and  medal  awarded 
by  the  judges  at  the  centennial  exhibition  in  Philadelphia  in  1876. 
The  proposals  for  chronometer  and  clock  oils  issued  by  the  govern- 
ment last  year  specified  that  Kelley's  oil  alone  should  be  supplied. 
About  the  jear  1850  Mr.  Kelley  commenced  the  manufacture  of  his 
superfine  oils  from  the  head  and  melon  of  the  blackfish.  Much  of 
the  latter  oil  used  by  Mi'-  Kelley  is  taken  from  fish  captured  on  the 
coast  of  Africa,  and  this  grade  is  superior  for  lighter  bearings,  having 
less  body  than  the  oils  taken  from  the  fish  captured  in  local  waters. 
The  difference  is  presumed  to  be  caused  by  the  food  which  the  deep  sea 
fish  consume.  John  Wing,  a  son-in-law  of  the  manufacturer,  now 
conducts  the  business  for  Mr.  Kelley.  The  agents  for  these  oils  are 
Henry  Grinnell  &  Co.,  31  Maiden  Lane,  New  York,  and  Grimshaw 
&  Baxter,  35  Goswell  road,  London,  Eng. 

ART  INDUSTRIES. 

Possibly  it  may  be  a  surprise  to  most  readers  of  this  book  to  learn 
that  New  Bedford  is  the  home  of  manifold  and  varied  art  industries, 
employing  many  skilled  artisans  and  producing  thousands  of  objects 
of  beauty. 

The  firm  of  Charles  Taber  &  Co.  was  the  pioneer  in  the  indus- 
try of  art  manufacturing  in  this  country.  Today  it  is  the  largest 
industry  of  its  kind,  the  annual  product  aggregating  nearly  a  half 
million  dollars  in  value.     In  the  busy  season  about  three  hundred 


194 


NEW  bp:dford. 


fifty  hands  are  employed  and  goods  are  shipped  to  every  part  of  the 
world. 

The  business  of  the  firm  dates  back  nearh-  to  the  beginnini^  of 
the  century.  William  C.  Taber,  the  father  of  the  present  senior 
member  of  the  firm,  early  in  life  became  a  partner  with  Abraham 
Sherman,  Jr.,  in  the  book  business  at  the  northeast  corner  of  Union 
and  ^^'^ater  streets.  This  partnership  was  dissolved  about  the  year 
1835,  ^vhen  Mr.  Taber  conducted  the  business  alone  for  a  time.  In 
1843  Charles  Taber,  a  son,  who  had  that  year  attained  his  majorit}', 
was  admitted  as  a  partner.  Soon  after,  the  firm  opened  a  store  at  No. 
6  Purchase  street,  and  about  the  year  1849,  the  father  having  retired, 
Charles  and  his  brother  Augustus  carried  on  the  business  ai  the  cor- 
ner of  Union  and  Purchase  streets.  Then  the  firm  of  Charles  Taber 
&  Co.  was  established  and  there  has  been  a  firm  of  Charles  Taber 
&  Co.  ever  since.  The  business  at  this  time  included  the  sale  of 
books,  engravings,  and  charts,  many  of  which  were  imported  from 
abroad  by  the  firm.  Upon  the  withdrawal  of  Augustus,  Charles  took 
as  partners  Abraham  Taber  and  Asa  C.  Peirce,  and,  still  later,  William 
C.  Taber,  Jr.  In  1861  the  store  on  the  corner  was  given  up  and  the 
firm  moved  to  No.  47  Purchase  street,  in  the  then  new  Cummings 
building,  and  the  next  year  the  brothers  Abraham  and  William  C^ 
Taber,  Jr.,  took  the  two  book  and  stationery  stores,  and  Charles, 
with  Asa  C.  Peirce,  started  as  manufacturing  photographers  at  No.  6 
North  Water  street.  This  last  firm  continued  until  about  1871,  when 
Charles  Taber  assumed  and  continued  the  sole  management  until 
188 1.  Then  he  took  as  partners  his  brother,  William  C.  Taber,  Jr., 
and  his  sons,  Charles  M.  and  Frederic.  Charles  Taber  died  in  1887 
and  the  firm  now  comprises  the  three  latter  gentlemen. 

In  the  twenty-three  years  since  the  business  of  manufacturing 
photographs  began,  the  modest  enterprise  has  grown  to  huge  propor- 
tions, not  only  keeping  pace  with  the  growth  of  photography,  but 
adding  to  itself  other  branches  of  decorative  art.  Gradually  the  sta- 
tionery business  in  the  old  Union  street  store  was  crowded  out  by  the 
needs  of  the  thriving  trade  in  the  works  of  art.  The  old  buildings 
on  the  corner  were  swarming  with  working  men  and  women  and  new 
hives  were  bought  or  built  and  quickly  filled.  At  present  the  firm 
occupies  five  buildings  :  the  three  story  building  of  brick  and  stone 
at  the  northwest  corner  of  Union  and  Water  streets  ;  most  of  the 
two  stor}'  building  on  Water  street,  next  north  ;  the  three  stor}-  build- 


INDUSTRIAL    AND    FINANCIAL.  I97 


ing  on  the  northeast  corner  of  Union  and  Water  streets  ;  the  large 
wooden  building  next  east,  which,  by  the  way,  was  occupied  by  the 
present  senior  proprietor's  great  grandfather  as  a  dwelling  as  far 
back  as  1763  ;  and  the  three  story  wooden  building  on  the  south  side 
of  Spring  street,  extending  from  Water  to  First  streets.  Roughly 
estimated,  the  workshops  of  the  firm  occupy  fifty  thousand  square 
feet  of  area. 

On  the  lower  floor  of  the  building  on  the  northwest  corner  of 
Union  and  Water  streets  the  office  is  located  and  here  is  the  stock 
room  in  which  the  various  styles  of  artotypes  are  kept.  On  the 
upper  floors  are  studios  where  photographs  are  colored  and  pastels 
are  executed.  The  sample  and  store  rooms  are  in  the  building  next 
north.  In  the  building  on  the  opposite  corner  photographs  are  made 
and  mounted,  artotypes  are  printed,  frames  are  put  together  with 
mats,  holiday  goods  are  made  up,  and  picture  framing  is  done.  The 
building  at  the  corner  of  Water  and  Spring  streets  is  entirely  given 
up  to  the  manufacture  of  picture  frames  and  mouldings. 

The  art  business  of  the  firm  commenced  with  the  manufacture  of 
ambrotypes,  and  the  vast  industry  now  carried  on  was  probably  the 
result  of  an  incident  which  happened  about  the  year  i860.  Among 
the  engravings  on  sale  at  the  store  on  the  corner  of  Union  and  Pur- 
chase streets  was  one  of  Elizabeth  Fry,  the  English  philanthropist. 
It  was  an  imported  picture  and  the  copies  were  quickly  sold. 
Charles  Taber  was  a  member  of  the  society  of  Friends  and  he 
greatly  admired  the  beautiful  face  of  the  good  woman.  These  were 
the  days  of  ambrotypes,  which  were  photographs  on  glass.  They 
were  very  beautiful  and  compare  favorably  in  point  of  attractiveness 
with  the  photographs  of  today.  Mr.  Taber  conceived  the  idea  of 
reproducing  the  engraving  by  this  process  and,  as  an  experiment, 
sent  the  picture  to  an  ambrotype  saloon.  The  result  was  successful 
and  Mr.  Taber  framed  it  with  the  intention  of  hanging  it  in  his  own 
home.  It  was  left  in  the  store  for  a  few  days  and  excited  much 
admiration.  Several  persons  who  saw  the  portrait  desired  copies, 
and  they  were  furnished.  Subsequently  Mr.  Taber  successfully 
repeated  the  experiment  with  a  Landseer,  and  finally  the  reproduc- 
tions became  recognized  as  a  legitimate  branch  of  the  art  business 
and  the  firm  commenced  the  manufacture  of  ambrt)typcs.  The  pho- 
tograph of  the  face  of  Elizabeth  Fry  was  the  first  reproduction  ot  an 
engraving  which  was  ever  put  on  the  market. 


[98 


NEW    BEDFORD. 


This  branch  of  art  manufacuire  led  to  the  importation  and  finally 
to  the  manufacture  of  passepartouts.  These  are  frames  of  glass, 
with  a  pasteboard  backing  and  paper  binding.  This,  in  turn,  led  to 
the  manufacture  of  frames,  and  the  next  natural  step  to  the  production 
of  ambrotypes  was  photographs.  About  six  years  ago  the  firm  first 
commenced  the  manufacture  of  artotype  engravings  and  etchings, 
and  in  this  department  their  productions  are  recognized  as  the  stand- 
ard, dealers  willingly  paying  much  more  for  artotypes  from  this 
establishment  than  they  will  pay  for  the  same  reproductions  from 
other  factories.  The  artotypes  of  this  firm  ^exactly  reproduce  the 
finest  engravings  and  etchings  and  it  requires  a  close  inspection  from 
the  connoisseur  to  detect  them  from  the  original  proofs,  and  they  are 
equally  permanent.  The  superiority  of  the  artot3'pes  of  Charles 
Taber  &  Co.  lies  in  the  fact  that  while  other  firms  have  sought  to 
reduce  the  expense  of  production,  this  firm  has  stood  ready  to  make 
any  expenditure  which  would  tend  to  improve  the  artistic  value  of  the 
work.  The  ink  used  is  imported  and  is  the  same  as  that  used  for  steel 
engravings,  while  the  plate  paper  is  made  expressly  for  this  pur- 
pose. They  excel  in  the  clean  lines,  the  tones,  and  general  artistic 
efi^ect  and  character.  Eighteen  printers  are  employed,  nearly  all  of 
whom  came  from  abroad.  About  eight  hundred  subjects  are  kept 
in  stock.  Artotypes  are  printed,  or  "pulled,"  as  the  technical  phrase 
is,  from  gelatine  plates  prepared  by  the  process  discovered  and 
patented  by  Obernetter  of  Munich.  A  description  of  this  process  can- 
not tail  to  be  interesting. 

In  commencing,  we  have  a  sheet  of  thick  plate  glass  which  is 
designed  for  a  printing  block.  The  glass  is  cleansed  and  is  then  ready 
to  receive  the  preliminary  coating,  which  is  a  solution  prepared  of 
soluble  glass,  the  white  of  eggs,  and  water.  The  mixture  is  applied 
to  the  glass  as  evenly  as  possible  and  the  film  dried  and  then  rinsed 
with  water.  The  second  stage  of  the  process  is  the  application  of  a 
film  of  bichromated  gelatine  to  the  plate,  after  which  the  glass  is 
put  into  the  drying  chamber.  The  object  to  be  attained  is  a  fine 
grain  throughout  the  surt'ace  of  the  gelatine,  and  unless  this  surface 
is  satisfactor}-,  the  printing  block  will  never  be.  If  the  gelatine  is 
too  thick,  the  grain  will  be  coarse  ;  or  if  the  temperature  in  drying 
is  too  high,  there  will  be  no  grain.  The  drying  is  completed  in  half 
an  hour,  when  the  film  is  ready  for  printing  under  a  negative,  and  this 
is  done  in  an  ordinary'  printing  frame.     The  exposure  is  very  rapid 


N.   P.   HAYES    HARDWARE  STORE. 


INDUSTRIAL    AND    FINANCIAL.  20I 


and  here  the  judgment  of  the  photographer  is  brought  into  play. 
The  impression  is  taken  from  the  pressure  frame  and  put  into  cold 
water,  where  it  remains  a  half  hour  or  more,  until  the  soluble  bichro- 
mate is  washed  out.  Then  judgment  is  passed  and  the  experienced 
eye  can  tell  at  once  what  it  is  fit  for.  The  washed  and  dried  plate 
should  appear  like  a  design  of  ground  and  polished  glass.  A  yellow 
tint  means  that  it  will  take  up  too  much  ink  when  the  roller  is  passed 
over  it.  The  appearance  of  ground  glass  is  given  by  the  grain.  If 
there  are  pure  lights  (almost  transparent)  and  opalescent  shadows, 
the  plate  is  a  good  one. 

After  moistening  in  glycerine  and  water  the  printing  block  is 
ready  for  the  press.  The  inking  and  printing  are  done  very  much  as 
in  lithography.  To  appreciate  how  skillful  a  printer  must  be  it  is  onl\' 
necessary  to  see  the  imperfect  proofs  that  first  result  and  then  watch 
how  these  are  gradually  improved  by  rolling,  rubbing,  etching,  and 
cleaning. 

After  the  plate  is  put  on  the  press  a  moist  sponge  is  first  rubbed 
over  the  surface  and  the  plate  is  then  rolled  with  a  soft  wash-leallier 
roller,  to  remove  surplus  moisture.  The  ink  rollers,  which  are  made 
of  glue  composition,  are  now  applied,  and  two  inks,  a  thick  and  ihin. 
The  thick  is  first  put  on  and  the  roller  is  passed  over  tiie  plate.  Then 
another  roller  charged  with  thin  ink  is  applied  in  the  same  manner. 
A  sheet  of  paper  is  now  laid  on  the  plate,  the  tympan  of  the  press  is 
lowered,  the  scraper  is  adjusted,  and  a  revolution  of  the  wheel  com- 
pletes the  printing.  The  copies  then  undergo  another  impression, 
when  an  India  tint  and  border  and  engraved  titles  are  printed.  In 
some  factories  the  titles  are  printed  from  type,  but  at  this  establish- 
ment all  titles  are  printed  on  a  lithographic  press  from  engraved 
stones. 

The  superintendent  of  the  photographic  and  artotype  depart- 
ments is  Joseph  G.  Tirrell,  who  lias  been  in  the  employ  of  the  firm 
twenty-seven  years. 

The  plain  and  colored  photographs  made  by  this  tinn  are  the 
best  photographic  reproductions  made  in  this  country.  Tin-  lunnber 
of  subjects  reaches  thousands.  The  establishment  also  turns  out 
an  exquisite  line  of  glace  photograph  panels,  medallion  photographs, 
photogravure  etchings  on  satin,  window  transparencies,  sterc(vscopic 
views,  art  souvenirs,  consisting  of  cabinet  photographs  from  tin-  most 
popular  pictures,  mounted  on  plate  paper  and  enclosed  in  covers  fast- 


202 


NEW    BEDFORD. 


ened  In'  ribbons,  art  folios,  and  pastel  drawings.  Their  Easter, 
Christmas,  and  New  Year's  cards  and  books  are  always  among  the 
handsomest  and  most  original  in  the  market  and  skilled  artists  are 
constantly  engaged  in  getting  up  new  designs. 

The  tVame  factory  at  the  corner  of  Water  and  Spring  streets  is 
also  an  interesting  place  to  visit.  The  firm  calculates  to  keep  ahead 
of  their  competitors  in  this  branch  of  art  manufacture  and  the  fact 
that  their  designs  are  imitated  everywhere  is  a  species  of  flattery, 
even  though  it  may  afford  only  a  grim  sort  of  satisfaction.  The 
company  buys  the  plain  moulding  but  it  is  ornamented  at  the  factory. 
New  styles  are  constantl}-  demanded.  A  few  years  ago  plush  and 
velvet  frames  were  the  rage.  Now  the  demand  is  for  wooden  frames, 
and  the  company  has  in  stock  three  hundred  fifty  styles  of  cabinet 
frames,  while  about  two  hundred  new  styles  of  ornamented  moulding 
are  turned  out  annually.  The  average  reader  may  not  know  that 
the  ornamentation  on  the  familiar  gilt  and  other  frames  is  a  compo- 
sition made  of  glue,  whiting,  and  other  materials,  which  is  affixed  to 
the  wooden  moulding.  This  composition  resembles  putt}'  in  appear- 
ance and  is  turned  through  moulds  on  which  the  designs  are  cut. 
Some  of  the  ornaments  are  hand  moulded.  The  cost  of  the  origi- 
nal patterns  is  considerable  and  an  idea  of  the  magnitude  of  the 
business  done  in  the  frame  department  of  this  establishment  ma}'  be 
learned  from  the  tact  that  fifty  tons  of  composition  were  used  last  year. 
Frames  are  made  of  gold,  oxidized,  bronze,  ivorv,  and  natural  wood 
mouldings.  The  ivory  moulding  was  originated  at  this  factory,  and 
when  combined  with  gold  the  result  is  verv  lovely.  Recentlv  an 
imitation  whale's  tooth  was  made  as  an  experiment  and  it  will  defy 
detection.  Imitation  ivory  paper  weights  are  among  the  novelties 
recently  put  upon  the  market. 

The  firm  employs  four  travelling  salesmen  and  maintains  a  sales- 
room at  No.  28  Bond  street.  New  York  city. 

There  are  but  two 
larger  manufactories  of 
silver  plated  ware  in  this 
country  than  that  of  the 
Pairpoint  Manufacturing 
Company,  located  on  the 
east  side  of  Prospect  street,  south  of  Rowland  street,  and  the  ware 
has  no  superior  in  the  American  or  European  market.     The  stock  is 


INDUSTRIAL    AND    FINANCIAL. 


203 


of  the  best,   possessing  all  the  elements  of  real  silver  and  beauty, 

finish,  elegance,  and  grace  of  form,  and  the  product  is  in  a  style  con- 
forming to  the  highest  rules  of  art. 
The  company  manufactures  all 
varieties  of  useful  and  ornamental 
household  goods  in  great  variety, 
including  knives,  forks,  spoons, 
cake  baskets,  and  an  almost  end- 
less variety  of  table  ware,  hat, 
hair,  clothes,  and  crumb  brushes, 
candlesticks,  casters,  card  receiv- 
ers, communion  ware,  ice  pitcher 
sets,  epergnes,  jewel,  cigar,  and 
cigarette  cases,  wine  coolers,  ash 
receivers,  match  safes,  etc.,  etc. 

The  company  organized  in 
1880  with  Edward  D.  Mandell  as 
president,  Alexander  H.  Seabury 
as  treasurer,  and  T.  J.  Pairpoint, 

superintendent.     The  capital  stock  was  originally  $100,000,   but  in 

July,  1887,  it  was  increased  to  $400,000,  at  which  point  it  now  stands, 

nearly  the  entire  amount  being  held  in  New  Bedford. 

In  the  spring  of  1880,  the  first  building  was  erected.      It  was  of 

brick,  one  hundred  twenty  by  forty  feet  in  area  and  three  stories  high. 

In  1881  a  second  building  was  added.     This  was  of  wood,  three  stories 

high,  and  one  hundred  twenty  by  thirty  feet  in  area,  and,  finally,  the 

following  year,  a  four  story  brick  building  was  erected,  one  hundred 

fifty  by  forty  feet   in    area,  so   that 

the  area  of  the  workshops  is  nearly 

fifty    thousand     square    feet.     The 

company  has  a  branch  store  at  the 

corner  of  Maiden  lane  and  Liberty 

place.  New  York  city,  established  in 

June,  1881  ;   a  store  at  the  corner  of 

Wabash    avenue     and    Washington 

street,  Chicago,  estabHshed  in  1882  ; 

and  a  San  Francisco  store  at  No.  220  Sutter  street,  established  in  1S87. 
T.  J.    Pairpoint  resigned  as  superintendent,   April  i,  1885,  and 

he  was  succeeded  by  Thomas  A.  Tripp.     Mr.   Seabury  resigned  as 


204 


NEW     BEDFORD. 


treasurer  in  the  following  May,  and  Mr.  Tripp  succeeded  him  also. 
The  present  officers  are  : 

President  —  Edward  D.  Man- 
dell. 

Treasurer  and   general  man- 
ager—  Thomas  A.  Tripp. 

Directors  —  Edward  D.  Man- 
dell,  William  J.  Rotch,  William 
Baylies,  Wendell  H.  Cobb,  and 
Capt.  William  Lewis,  of  New  Bedford,  and  John  A.  Brown,  of  Prov- 
idence. 

The  company  employs  about  three  hundred  hands  in  the  factory 
and  nine  salesmen  travelling  in  different  parts  of  the  countr}'.  It  has 
a  large  export  trade,  many  goods  being  shipped  as  far  as  Australia. 
Nearly  all  the  men  are  skilled  mechanics,  and  it  is  estimated  that  two 
hundred  young  men  from  the  schools  of  New  Bedford  have  learned 
trades  in  this  factory  and  become  proficient  workmen,  many  of  them 
now  having  charge  of  departments. 

The  details  of  the  manufacture  are  so  varied  that  they  cannot  be 
described  intelligently  in  a  brief  article.  Britannia  is  the  base  of 
most  of  the  ware  and  this  alloy  is  composed  of  tin,  copper,  antimony, 
and  zinc.  It  is  mixed  and  made  on  the  premises  and  cast  into  ingots, 
after  which  it  is  rolled  into  sheets.  These  sheets  are  then  pressed 
into  blanks  or  bowls  of  various  sizes,  from  whence  they  go  to  the 
spinning  room.  Here  the  blanks  are  placed  on  wooden  moulds 
and  spun  into  the  desired  form.  These  forms  are  embossed  or 
stamped  with  designs,  a  hydraulic  press,  with  a  pressure  of  six  hun- 
dred sixty-three  tons,  being  employed  for  this  purpose.  The  patterns 
are  designed  by  skilled  artists  and  cut  on  steel  dies,  many  of  which 
represent  weeks  of  patient  labor.  These  dies  form  an  expensive 
stock,  their  value  ranging  from  $50  to  $500  each.  Every  ornament 
employed  on  a  piece  of  silver  ware  must  first  be  moulded  in  wax.  A 
mould  of  plaster  of  paris  is  made  from  this  and  finally  a  mould  of 
brass  is  made.  The  britannia  metal  is  poured  into  these  moulds  and 
is  quickly  turned  out  again,  leaving  the  inside  of  the  moulded 
handles  and  ornaments  hollow. 

It  will  be  seen  that  a  long  time  is  consumed  in  making  moulds 
and  dies  for  the  various  articles  manufactured,  and  workmen  were 
employed  nearly  a  year  before  even  a  limited  variety  of  styles  was 
put  on  the  market. 


2o6 


NEW    BEDFORD. 


Next  the  various  parts  are  soldered  together  and  are  submitted  to 
various  processes  of  cleaning.     Then  the  articles  go  into  the  plating 

vats,  where  a  deposit  of  silver  is 
placed  upon  them  from  a  solution  of 
the  cyanide  of  the  metal,  through 
which  a  current  of  electricity  passes. 
Parts  of  many  articles  are  further 
ornamented  by  gold  plating  or  oxi- 
dizing by  a  chemical  process. 

Finally  the  articles  are  burn- 
ished. Some  parts  are  burnished 
by  machinery,  while  others  are  hand 
burnished.  The  satin  finish,  which  is  very  popular,  is  executed  by 
means  of  a  wire  brush,  constructed  by  a  patented  process.  It  nicks 
or  scratches  the  polished  surface,  producing  a  frosted  effect. 

There  are  many  other  processes  which  the  article  must  undergo 
before  completion,  which  are  not  named  here.  Many  of  the  designs 
are  engraved  by  hand  instead  of  being  stamped. 

The  firm  also  manufactures  ware  from  German  silver.  This  metal 
is  much  harder  to  work  than  britannia  and  the  process  is  materially 
different.  It  is  in  favor  at  hotels  and  on  railroad  and  steamboat  lines, 
where  the  ware  is  likely  to  receive  rough  usage. 

Most  of  the  knives,  forks,  and  spoons  are  made  from  German 
silver.  The  blanks  are  first  cut  and  afterwards  rolled  by  machine. 
In  this  process  they  become  so  hard  that  it  is  necessary  to  anneal  them 
in  a  furnace.  Then  the}^  are  formed  and  the  designs  are  stamped 
upon  them.  They  are  polished  on  wheels  of  walrus  leather  costing 
two  dollars  a  pound,  and  are  hand  burnished  after  plating. 

An  idea  of  the  expense  and  risk  of  manufacture  may  be  gained 
from  the  fact  that  ever}-  new  design  of  knife,  fork,  and  spoon  placed 
on  the  market  represents  an  expenditure  of  several  thousand  dollars. 
A  one  hundred  horse  power  steam  engine  is  employed  and  there 
is  a  fire  pump  on  the  premises  with  a  capacitv  tor 
pumping  five  hundred  gallons  per  minute. 


The    company  owns    an   extensive  wharf  prop- 


ertv. 


A  great  deal  of  fancy  glass  ware  is  employed  and 
many  articles  of  rare  beauty  are  displayed  in  the  show  rooms,  includ- 
ing the  largest  epergne  in  the  world.     The  plush   boxes   used   tor 


WAM.SUTT/- 


WING    BUILDING. 


INDUSTRIAL    AND    FINANCIAL. 


209 


fancy  ware  are  made  at  the  factory.  An  idea  of  the  variety  of  articles 
manufactured  may  be  gained  from  the  fact  that  the  various  cuts  illus- 
trating the  catalogues  of  the  company  represent  an  expenditure  of  at 
least  ten  thousand  dollars. 

One  of  the  most  interesting  of  the  industries  of  the  city  is  carried 
on  at  the  Mount  Washington  Glass  Works,  in  some  respects  the  most 
notable  glass  factory  in  the  world.  It  is  here  that  the  beautiful  and 
celebrated  Burmese  ware  was  discovered,  which,  with  several  other 
novelties  in  glass,  is  exclusively  controlled  by  this  establishment. 
Here  also  is  made  a  variety  of  cut  and  art  glass  ware  which  has 
made  the  factory's  fame  for  the  production  of  the  finest  goods  as 
wide  as  the  world. 

The  business  of  the  Mount  Washington  Glass  Company  was 
brought  to  this  city  in  the  year  1869.  It  was  originally  started  in 
1837  at  a  factory  built  by  Deming  Jarves,  then  agent  of  the  Boston 
&  Sandwich  Glass  Company.  The  original  factory  was  located  in 
South  Boston,  the  business  being  conducted  by  Capt.  Russell.  In 
1839  ^'^^  business  reverted  to  George  D.  Jarves  and  was  carried  on 
by  him,  with  Mr.  Labree  at  first,  and  later  with  Henry  Comerais 
under  the  firm  name  of  Jarves  &  Comerais.  This  firm  greatl\"  in- 
creased the  facilities  of  the  factory  by  building  new  furnaces.  In 
1S60,  however,  they  closed  the  business,  and  subsequently  the  factory 
was  hired  by  Timothy  Howe,  who  proved  a  most  energetic  manager. 
He  was  joined  by  W.  L.  Libbey  and  a  most  successful  business  was 
carried  on.  On  the  death  of  Mr.  Howe,  in  1866,  his  interest  was 
purchased  by  Mr.  Libbey,  but  in  1869,  as  the  old  factory  had  be- 
come dilapidated,  he  purchased  the  present  works  on  Prospect  street, 
in  this  city,  which  had  been  built  by  the  New  Bedford  Glass  Com- 
pany. This  latter  company  had  but  a  short  existence,  owing  to 
financial  difficulties. 

The  factory  was  designed  by  a  practical  glass  maker  and  is  one 
of  the  most  substantial  and  complete  in  the  country.  It  was  erected 
in  1861,  and  comprises  a  commodious  glass  house  with  a  ten  pot  fur- 
nace and  an  extensive  water  frontage  for  landing  supplies  and  the 
shipment  of  goods.  On  the  first  floor  are  well  arranged  annealing 
kilns,  selecting  room,  mould  room,  and  office.  On  the  second  floor 
is  a  large  machine  shop  and  cutting  shop,  and  on  the  third  floor  are 
the  stock  and  chandelier  rooms.  On  the  basement  floor  are  the 
mixing,  packing,  and  engine  rooms,  and  carpenter  shop.  There 
are  two  elevators,  one  for  light  and  the  other  for  heavy  goods. 


2IO 


NEW    BEDFORD. 


Outside  the  main  factory  are  several  other  commodious  build- 
ings,  one.   thr(>e  stories  in   height,  being  occupied   as   a  decorating 

shop.  This  building  is  provided  with 
all  the  necessary  adjuncts  for  this  part 
of  the  work,  including  three  large 
kilns   for  firing  the  ware. 

There  is  a  cooper  shop,  all  pack- 
ages for  goods  being  made  on  the 
premises ;  a  large  storage  building 
for  packed  goods,  also  clay  and  pot 
rooms,  a  blacksmith  shop,  and  boiler 
house.  The  company's  stables  are 
on  an  adjacent  lot. 
After  being  transferred  to  this  cit}'  the  business  was  conducted 
under  its  original  name  of  the  Mount  Washington  Glass  Works. 
Soon  the  increase  of  business  called  for  more  capital  and  Capt. 
Henry  Libbey  became  associated  with  the  business,  the  firm  name 
being  W.  L.  Libbe}'  &  Co.  In  187 1  a  «tock  company  was  formed, 
named  the  Mount  Washington  Glass  Company,  with  a  capital  of 
$100,000,  which  was  afterwards  increased  to  $150,000.  W.  L. 
Libbe\^  was  appointed  agent  and  Capt.  Henry  Libbey,  superin- 
tendent. 

In  1872  W.  L.  Libbe}^  resigned  to  accept  the  agency  of  the 
New  England  Glass  Company  and  the  management  devolved  on 
Capt.  Libbe}^.  The  business  of  the  company  was  widely  spread, 
but  in  the  general  depression  in  1873  the  shrinkages  impaired  the 
company's  capital.  Capt.  Libbey  re- 
signed in  1874  ^"^  the  factory  was 
closed. 

In  the  fall  of  the  same  year  the 
company  resumed  business,  and  the 
management  was  placed  in  the  hands 
of  the  present  agent,  Frederick  S. 
Shirley,  with  Robert  G.  Tobey  as 
treasurer,  and  Robert  King,  glass 
house  manager.  A.  H.  Seabury  acting 
as  president.  The  company  was  re- 
organized in  1876,  since  which  time  it  has  worked  continuously. 
In    1881    the  facilities   of  the   factory    were    increased    by    the 


212  NEW    BEDFORD. 


erection  of  an  additional  glass  house  on  the  south,  provided  with  an 
eight  pot  furnace. 

The  late  A.  H.  Seabury  was  president  of  the  company  until  his 
death,  July  17,  1887,  when  he  was  succeeded  by  Hon.  William 
J.  Rotch.  Andrew  Snow,  Jr.,  who  has  grown  up  in  the  business, 
was  elected  treasurer,  and  has  taken  an  active  part  in  the  manage- 
ment of  the  business. 

This  is  briefly  the  histor}'  of  the  enterprise. 

No  glass  factory  in  the  world  produces  a  greater  variety  of  fine 
work.  The  specialties  include  opal  globes,  shades  for  electric  and 
gas  lights  and  lamps,  also  fine  blown  goods.  Some  of  the  richest 
cut  glass  ware  is  turned  out  here  and  this  is  the  only  factory  in  the 
country  where  crystal  chandeliers  are  made  complete.  The  factory 
also  produces  a  line  of  decorated  lamps  and  vases  of  the  finest 
grades,  as  well  as  art  glass  ware.  The  lovely  Burmese  ware  met 
with  such  success  as  to  attract  the  patronage  of  royalty  and  the 
company  was  recently  favored  with  a  special  order  from  Her  Majesty 
Qiieen  Victoria.  The  productions  of  the  company  are  widely  known 
and  are  in  good  demand. 

The  writer  was  recently  shown  over  the  factory.  The  first  stage 
of  the  manufacture  is  to  be  witnessed  in  the  basement,  where  the 
ingredients  of  the  glass  are  mixed  in  a  large  trough.  Silica  or  sand 
is  its  principal  element  and  that  used  here  is  from  the  Berkshire  mines. 
It  is  very  white  and  fine.  The  silicic  acid,  or  silica,  combines  with 
potash,  soda,  oxide  of  lead,  alumina,  lime,  and  other  substances  that 
may  be  added  to  produce  silicates  of  these  bases,  which  are  classed 
by  the  manufacturer  as  fluxes.  Waste  glass  forms  a  considerable 
proportion  of  the  raw  material,  promoting  the  fusion  and  the  chemi- 
cal union  of  the  silica  and  the  bases  mixed  with  it. 

The  main  stock  contains  ten  pots,  and  the  furnace  in  which  they 
rest  is  twenty-two  feet  in  diameter.  The  coal  is  fed  through  a  flume 
and  five  tons  of  coal  are  consumed  every  twenty-four  hours.  By  an 
arrangement  of  the  draughts,  the  heat  becomes  most  intense,  the 
flame  being  heated  to  incandescence.  These  fires  are  seldom  al- 
lowed to  go  out,  as  the  pots  would  crack,  rendering  the  operation 
expensive.  The  present  fire  at  the  Mt.  Washington  works  has 
burned  continuously  for  four  years.  Previous  to  this  time  it  had  not 
been  out  during  eight  years.  The  nose  holes  in  the  furnace  bear 
the  suggestive  name  of  "glory  holes." 


INDUSTRIAL    AND    FINANCIAL. 


213 


There  is  also  another  furnace  for  reheating  the  glass  at  different 
stages  of  its  manufacture.  Oil  is  used  in  this  furnace  and  the  heat 
is  intensified  by  the  use  of  a  super-heated  steam  blast. 

The  melting  pots  are  made  of  clay,  and  in  order  that  they  may 
withstand  the  excessive  heat  and  the  action  of  the  various  melted 

ingredients,  their  construction  is  an 
object  of  special  solicitude.  The 
material  used  at  these  works  is  the 
Stourbridge  fire  clay,  which  comes 
from  England.  Missouri  clay  is 
also  used  to  some  extent.  It  is  first 
carefully  trod  by  baretbot  men, 
until  it  is  prepared  for  moulding.  The  average  pot  is  about  four  feet 
high  and  four  feet  in  diameter  at  the  top  and  somewhat  smaller  at 
the  bottom.  It  holds  about  a  ton  of  glass.  The  pot  is  built  entirely 
by  hand,  and  only  a  small  part  is  constructed  each  day.  When  a 
few  inches  of  the  walls  are  built  up,  cloths  are  placed  over  the  fresh 
clay  and  the  moisture  is  thus  absorbed.  The  top  of  the  pot  is  made 
in  the  form  of  a  hood,  with  a  small  opening  near  the  top  correspond- 
ing with  the  nose  hole  of  the  furnace,  and  from  which  the  workman 
withdraws  the  melted  glass.  The  life  of  these  pots  varies  from  a  few 
weeks  to  six  or  even  eight  months.  Sometimes  they  crack  and 
sometimes  the  action  of  the  glass  ingredients  eats  a  hole  through  the 
clay  where  an  impertect  stratum  exists.  These  leaks  are  detected  as 
the  glass  runs  out  through  the  grating  of  the  furnace  underneath. 
When  the  leak  is  in  front  of  the  pot,  a  part  of  the  setting  is  some- 
times torn  away  and  a  blast  of  cold  air  is  allowed  to  strike  the  pot. 
The  glass  in  the  crack  hardens  and  the  leak  is  thus  permanently 
stopped.  This  is  called  "concaving"'  a  pot.  Usually,  however,  as 
much  of  the  glass  is  bailed  out  and  saved  as  is  possible,  and  new 
pots,  which  are  kept  in  a  furnace  in  preparation,  are  substituted. 
When  the  glass  is  being  bailed,  great  clouds  of  steam  arise,  and, 
condensing  on  the  iron  roof,  it  falls  to  the  floor  like  a  shower  of  rain. 
The  ingredients  of  the  glass  are  heated  to  a  white  heat  and  then 
the  heat  is  raised  as  rapidly  as  possible.  The  contents  of  the  pot  are 
kept  in  a  state  of  perfect  fluidity  for  from  ten  to  thirtv  lu)urs,  or  until 
the  bubbles  disappear  and  the  insoluble  matters  settle,  when  the  fur- 
nace is  allowed  to  cool  until  the  metal  has  become  viscid,  when  it  can 


be  taken  out  and  worked. 


214 


NEW    BEDFORi:). 


Work  commences  in  the  glass  making  department  at  i  o'clock 
on  Monday  morning  and  the  men  are  divided  into  two  gangs..  The 
gang  which  commences  work  at  this  hour  works  until  6  o'clock  in 
the  morning,  then  recommences  work  at  i  p.  m.  and  continues  work 
until  6  o'clock  in  the  evening.  The  second  gang  works  between  the 
hours  of  7  and  I2  o'clock  a.  m.  and  p.  m.  These  periods  of  work 
are  called  "moves"  in  the  vernacular.  The  workmen  are  divided 
into  gangs  of  four.  There  is  the  "gatherer,"  who  takes  the  requisite 
amount  of  glass  from  the  pots  on  the  end  of  a  blow  pipe,  the  "sticker 
up,"  who  reheats  it,  the  "servitor,"  who  does  the  preliminary  work, 
preparing  it  for  the  "gaffer,"  who  does  the  finishing. 

It  is  a  singular  fact  that  the  tools  employed  have  not  changed  for 
two  hundred  years  or  more.  The  first  in  importance  is  the  blowing 
tube,  which  is  of  wrought  iron,  four  or  five  feet  in  length,  with  a 
bore  one  quarter  inch  and  diameter  one  inch.  Tongs  are  exclusively 
employed  to  shape  the  various  articles,  and  the  most  beautiful  vases 
are  made  b}'  the  use  of  these.  Purcellas  are  heavy  tongs,  some- 
times furnished  with  broad,  blunt  blades  of  wood,  and  these  are 
principally  used  in  forming  the  articles.  The  vessel  in  process  of 
manufacture  is  frequently  applied  to  the  furnace  opening  to  soften  it. 

When  completed,  the  articles  are  removed  to  the  annealing  oven, 
in  which  they  are  left  to  be  tempered.  This  removes  the  quality  of 
brittleness,  exhibited  by  the  familiar  Prince  Rupert's  drops.  The 
glass  ware  is  moved  along  in  the  annealing  ovens,  through  a  con- 
stantly decreasing  temperature,  until  it  emerges  into  cold  air. 
Some  of  the  ware  becomes  annealed  in  twenty-four  hours,  but  the 
nicest  heavy  glass,  intended  to  stand  the  friction  of  the  cutting 
wheels,  is  a  week  in  passing  through  the  ovens. 

It  is  not  the  purpose  of  this  article  to  go  into  the  interesting  details 
of  glass  manufacture,  but  rather  to  allude  to  the  peculiar  work  done 
at  this  factory. 

Formerly  the  company  was  engaged  extensively  in  the  manu- 
facture of  lamp  chimneys  and  pressed  work,  but  it  has  now  almost 
entirely  abandoned  these  branches  of  the  business  to  the  western 
factories. 

The  introduction  of  electric  lighting  has  created  a  demand  for 
a  new  line  of  goods.  This  company  has  a  contract  with  the  mana- 
gers of  a  prominent  arc  lighting  system  for  furnishing  all  the  globes 
used  by  them.     About  ten  thousand  of  these  globes  are  kept  continu- 


SANDERS  &.  BARROWS    CLOTHING    STORE. 


INDUSTRIAL    AND    FINANCIAL.  217 

ally  in  stock  and  some  weeks  as  many  as  five  thousand  are  shipped 
to  the  plants  controlled  by  the  company.  These  globes  are  shipped 
to  tbreign  lands,  even  as  far  as  Australia  and  Egypt.  It  is  interesting 
to  think  of  shipping  glass  from  New  Bedford  to  the  latter  country, 
where  the  manufacture  of  glass  was  certainly  practiced  as  long  ago 
as  three  thousand  years  before  Christ.  The  bulbs  for  Edison  lamps 
are  also  blown  here  and  the  company  makes  one  hundred  fifty  varie- 
ties of  incandescent  lighting  shades. 

Amberina,  or  rose  amber  ware,  which  is  a  transparent  and  effect- 
ive combination  of  glass,  shading  from  ruby  to  the  most  delicate 
amber  tint,  in  which  the  popular  optical  and  hammered  effects  are 
produced,  is  made  here,  and  the  circupistances  of  its  introduction  on 
the  market  are  interesting.  When  ruby  glass,  which,  by  the  way, 
receives  its  coloring  from  an  oxide  of  gold,  comes  from  the  pot,  it  is 
amber  in  color.  In  making  red  glass  the  articles  were  reheated,  when 
the  red  color  developed.  It  was  the  practice  to  reheat  first  one  end 
of  the  vessel  and  then  the  other.  When  one  end  of  the  article  was 
reheated  the  result  was  the  ware  now  known  as  amberina,  but  in  this 
state  it  was  considered  as  unfinished.  At  length  two  companies,  of 
which  the  Mount  Washington  was  one,  conceived  the  idea  of  trving 
the  public  with  this  variegated  ware.  It  caught  the  popular  fancv  and 
was  all  the  rage  for  about  two  years.  The  amount  of  gold  used  in 
the  glass  is  indicated  by  the  fact  that  the  residuum  in  the  bottom  of 
the  old  pots  in  which  this  glass  is  made  is  carefully  chipped  off,  and 
globules  of  gold  are  found  precipitated,  sometimes  to  the  value  of 
thirty  or  forty  dollars. 

The  success  of  amberina  suggested  to  F.  S.  Shirlev,  the  agent 
of  the  works,  that  an  opaque  shaded  ware  would  be  a  novelty.  The 
introduction  of  Burmese  ware  opened  a  new  era  in  glass  making 
and  created  a  sensation  at  once.  Its  loveliness  is  due  to  its  translu- 
cenc}^  and  blending  tones  of  color,  from  a  flesh  pink  to  a  vellow. 
It  has  been  graphically  described  in  an  English  journal  as  "the 
dawn  of  another  day,"  which  term  aptly  designates  the  roseate  tints 
of  color  blending  into  each  other. 

Mr.  Shirley  developed  the  pink  shade  with  oxide  of  uranium, 
the  price  of  which  has  advanced  from  four  dollars  to  six  dollars  since 
Burmese  ware  was  put  on  the  market.  He  judged  that  a  combina- 
tion with  yellow  glass  would  be  most  effective,  and  patented  his  dis- 
covery in  1883.      The  glass   is   finishetl  with  either  a  glazed  or  plush 


2l8  NEW    BEDFORD. 


finish,  but  the  hitter  is  most  popular.  This  ware  is  now  manu- 
factured by  only  two  'factories  in  the  world  :  the  Mt.  Washington 
Glass  Company  and  by  Thomas  Webb  &  Sons,  England,  who  are 
licensed  under  the  former's  patents. 

The  following  letters  explain  themselves  : 

Balmoral,  8th  September,  1886. 
Major  Edwards  presents  his  compliments  to  Mr.  F.  S.  Shirley  : 

He  has  been  commanded  to  convey  to  him  the  Queen's  thanks 
for  the  beautiful  specimen  of  the  ware  of  the  Mt.  Washington  Glass 
Co.,  which  he  has  been  good  enough  to  forward  for  Her  Majesty's 
acceptance.  And  Princess  Beatrice  has  also  at  the  same  time  desired 
Major  Edwards  to  express  her  sincere  thanks  for  the  very  pretty 
vases  Mr.  Shirley  has  presented  to  her  Royal  Highness. 

Balmoral,  17th  September,  1886. 
Dear  Sir  : 

I  have  to  thank  you  for  your  telegram  and  was  not  aware  you 
had  left  England. 

1  am  commanded  by  the  Queen  to  ask  you  to  supply,  on  Her 
Majesty's  account,  the  following  articles,  in  similar  ware  to  that 
recently  presented  to  her  : 

1.  A  tea  set  of  the  same  description,  but  not  necessarily  of 
precisely  the  same  pattern  as  that  presented. 

2.  Two  pairs  of  vases,  something  similar  to  those  presented  to 
Princess  Beatrice,  but  the  two  pairs  might  be  slightly  different. 

When  ready,  would  you  please  forward  them  to  Buckingham 
Palace,  London?  Yours  faithfully,  F.  Edwards. 

To  F.  Stagey  Shirley. 

Sir  Henry  Ponsonby  has  to  acknowledge  the  receipt  of  the  arti- 
cles in  glass  which  Mr.  Shirley  has  forwarded  to  the  Queen,  and 
begs  to  say  that  Messrs.  Drexel,  Morgan  &  Co.,  of  New  York,  have 
been  instructed  to  pay  £250  to  Mr.  Shirley  lor  these  articles. 

Sir  H.  Ponsonby  is  also  commanded  to  convey  to  Mr.  Shirley 
the  expression  of  the  Queen's  thanks  for  the  objects,  which,  as  he 
intimates  in  his  letter  of  the  8th  December  (addressed  to  Major 
Edwards),  he  has  offered  for  Her  Majesty's  acceptance. 

yanuary  ijt/i,  iSSy,  Privy  Purse  Office, 
Bfickinghani  Palace,  S.    W.,  London,  Eng. 

Four  vases  were  also  sent  as  a  present  to  President  Cleveland's 
bride,  which  were  acknowledged  in  a  letter  from  the  president,  who 
wrote,  "They  are  highly  prized  as  evidencing  the  kind  consideration 
of  the  company,  while  they  illustrate  the  perfection  and  excellence 
of  its  manufactures." 


INDUSTRIAL    AND    FINANCIAL.  221 


The  pearl  satin  ware  is  also  made  at  the  works  and  a  patent  has 
been  granted  to  the  company  for  the  same.  The  pearl  satin  ware  is 
blown  into  a  mould  provided  with  projecting  points,  bands,  or  other 
ornamental  designs,  so  as  to  form  depressions  in  the  article  so  blown. 
The  interior  body  is  then  dipped  and  covered  in  a  shell  of  sensitive 
glass  which  seals  or  protects  the  air  in  the  cavities.  The  article 
is  then  finished  in  any  desired  manner.  This  ware  has  a  novel  and 
lovely  effect,  the  surface  being  finished  in  a  lustreless,  velvet}'  skin. 

Cameo  ware  is  also  made  here.  This  involves  the  process 
known  as  "casing."  By  this  process  articles,  when  partially  blown, 
are  inserted  into  a  thin  shell  of  glass  of  another  color  prepared  for 
their  reception. 

These  are  but  a  few  of  the  varieties  of  glass  ware  manufactured. 
Each  variety  involves  many  interesting  and  curious  details  and 
processes. 

Cut  glass  is  a  specialty  with  the  company  and  their  patrons 
include  some  of  the  most  celebrated  dealers  in  the  world.  About 
fifty  men  are  employed  in  the  cutting  room,  and  in  addition  to  the 
more  common  patterns,  the  company  has  copyrighted  a  number 
of  special  designs,  including  the  "Electric, ""Thurber,"  and  "Daunt- 
less" patterns.  These  designs  are  copyrighted  that  the  company  may 
be  protected  from  the  pressed  glass  makers,  who  crib  the  popular 
patterns  for  the  cheaper  moulded  ware.  This  latter  can  be  easily 
detected,  as  it  never  exhibits  the  lustre  or  clearly  cut  configurations 
of  the  cut  or  ground  glass.  The  cutting  is  executed  by  the  use 
of  three  wheels.  The  surface  is  first  applied  to  the  face  of  revolving 
disks  of  iron,  fed  with  fine  sand  and  water.  The  marks  of  the 
rough  grinding  are  then  removed  bv  a  smooth  grindstone,  and  the 
polishing  is  completed  by  wooden  or  brusii  wheels,  to  which  a  putty 
powder  of  tin  and  lead  is  applied.  This  powder  and  also  the  brush 
wheels  are  made  on  the  premises.  At  their  show  rooms  the  com- 
pany now  exhibits  a  toilet  table  made  almost  entirely  of  cut  glass. 
This  displa3^s  remarkable  skill  and  beauty.  It  is  piped  for  gas  or 
can  be  wired  for  electric  lights,  and  its  value  is  i\y<.'  hundred  dollars. 

The  decorating  is  done  in  a  three  story  building  on  the  premises, 
which  is  entirely  given  up  to  this  department.  Albert  Stellin  is  the 
superintendent  in  this  department  and  designed  the  elegant  decorated 
Burmese  sent  to  the  queen.  This  pattern  has  now  become  famous 
and  is  knowm  as  the  "queen's"  design.     It  conventionalizes  a  number 


222  NEW     BEDFORD. 


of  flowers  and  is  in  raised  enamel.  Much  of  the  decorating  is  done 
with  pure  gold,  reduced  with  acids,  and  the  effect  of  the  rich  gold 
with  the  mellow  shades  of  the  Burmese  is  very  lovely.  The  maiden 
hair  fern  design  on  lamps  and  shades  of  lustreless  white  glass 
is  one  of  the  most  tasteful  pieces  of  glass  ware  ever  put  on  the  mar- 
ket. Some  others  of  the  latest  designs  are  the  "tapestry,"  the  "Per- 
sian," the  latter  giving  the  effect  of  inlaid  enamel,  the  new  lace 
pattern,  and  the  "Egyptian"  design,  in  which  the  pyramids  and  palms 
are  conspicuous.  There  is  also  a  design  of  fish  swimming  in  a  net 
of  gold  which  is  very  attractive.  The  colors  are  of  mineral  compo- 
sition and  are  fused  into  the  material  by  baking  in  the  kilns.  At  the 
same  time  they  undergo  a  chemical  change  which  develops  the  bril- 
liancy and  transparency.  The  salt,  pepper,  and  sugar  sifters,  in  the 
form  of  decorated  eggs  of  glass,  originated  here  and  have  proved  a 
very  successful  Easter  specialt}'.  The  decorated  ware  turned  out  here 
is  of  the  highest  grade,  prepared  for  the  finest  trade. 

The  company's  employes  number  two  hundred  fifty  and  the 
annual  pay  roll  aggregates  over  one  hundred  thousand  dollars. 
The  company  employs  two  travelling  salesmen  and  maintains  a  fine 
store  at  No.  46  Murray  street.  New  York  city. 

During  the  year  there  are  consumed  at  the  factory  about  fifteen 
hundred  tons  of  coal,  two  thousand  barrels  of  crude  petroleum,  two 
hundred  tons  of  coke,  one  hundred  tons  of  packing  hay,  and  five 
thousand  packages,  such  as  casks  and  barrels  for  shipping.  These, 
with  the  lumber,  clay,  and  brick  used,  require  the  presence  of  a  ves- 
sel at  the  wharf  almost  continually  through  the  year. 

The  present  officers  of  the  company  are  : 

President  —  William  J.  Rotch. 
Agent  —  Frederick  S.  Shirley. 
Treasurer  —  Andrew  Snow,  Jr. 

Directors  —  William  J.  Rotch,  William  W.  Crapo,  Jonathan 
Bourne,  Edward  D.  Mandell,  Oliver  Prescott,  and  George  R.  Phillips. 

Not  long  ago  a  gentleman  went  into  one  of  the  largest  stores  in 
New  York  where  art  pottery  and  glass  ware  are  sold,  and,  approach- 
ing a  counter  upon  which  some  ver}-  beautiful  lamps  were  displaved, 
tapped  one  of  the  decorated  shades  and  asked  the  salesman  if  he 
wanted  to  purchase  a  stock  of  those  goods. 

"Those  goods  ai^  imported,  sir,"  was  the  reply.  "They  are  from 
the  Royal  Worcester  works." 


224 


NEW    BEDFORD. 


"I  beg  pardon,"  said  the  gentleman.  "The  vase  of  the  lamp  is 
Royal  Worcester,  but  the  shade  was  decorated  in  this  country." 

The  salesman  denied  this  and  said  he  would  call  the  buyer  for 
the  firm,  who  happened  to  be  present. 

The  latter  was  called  and  substantiated  the  statement  that  the 
article  was  imported. 


THOMPSON  STREET  SCHOOL   HOUSE. 

"That shade  was  made  in  New  Bedford,  at  my  shop," said  the  gen- 
tleman. 

"Well,  who  are  you,  then?"  was  asked. 

"I  am  one  of  the  firm  of  Smith  Brothers,"  was  the  reply. 

The  buyer  expressed  much  surprise,  and  having  purchased  the 
goods  of  an  importer,  said  he  had  alwavs  supposed  the  shade  was 
made  across  the  water.  That  such  work  was  executed  in  this  coun- 
trv  was  a  revelation  to  him. 


INDUSTRIAL    AND    FINANCIAL. 


225 


It  is  a  fact  that  the  glass  decoration  done  in  New  Bedford  cannot 
be  excelled  anywhere  in  the  world,  and  the  tirin  of  Smith  Brothers  is 

intimately       connected 
j^..,-_j»-        ZI^^^         ""^^  .SmS^  with    the    development 

of  the  indnstr}'  in  this 
country.  The  father 
of  Messrs.  Alfred  E. 
and  Harry  A.  Smith, 
who  constitute  the  firm, 
was  the  pioneer  in  the 
glass  decorating  busi- 
ness in  this  country. 
He  came  here  from 
England  about  the  year 
185 1,  at  whicli  time  the 
art  was  in  its  infancy, 
under  contract  with  the 
Boston  &  Sandwich  Glass  Company,  and  encountered  many  dis- 
couraging obstacles.  In  the  first  place,  the  taste  of  the  people  had 
not  been  educated  to  an  appreciation  of  the  work.  When  Mr.  Smith 
left  England,  the  excavations  at  Nineveh  and  Pompeii  had  created 
a  demand  for  reproductions  of  ancient  pottery  on  which  Grecian  and 
Roman  borders  and  figures  were  painted  in  black.  The  demand 
for  such  goods  had  reached  the  proportions  of  "a  rage."  The  first 
difficulty  in  reproducing  these  articles  here  was  encountered  in  the 
effort  to  obtain  suitable  ware  to  decorate.  The  workmen  couldn't 
make  the  vases.  There  were  hardly  two  blanks  alike  and  it  was  a 
good  deal  of  trouble  to  match  the  vases  into  pairs.  When  tlie  goods 
were  put  on  the  market,  the  dealers  sent  word  that  "■  they  didn't  want 
any  more  of  those  niggers."  Alfred  was  in  the  emplov  of  his  father 
at  this  time  and  was  the  first  artist  in  this  countrv  to  put  enamel 
colors  on  a  cone  shade.  The  experiment  was  not  a  success.  The 
colors  which  the  decorator  had  at  his  disposal  were  manutactured  in 
a  crude  way,  being  simply  glass  ground  to  an  impalpable  powder. 
But  the  glass  of  which  the  shades  were  made  was  so  easily  fusible 
that  they  would  not  stand  the  ordeal  of  fire  in  the  kilns. 

Nearl}^  discouraged,  Mr.  Smitii  looked  about  to  see  in  what 
direction  his  art  could  be  utili/.cd  and  rendered  profitable.  At  that 
time  fluid  lamps  were  in  common  use.  and  the  experiment  of  gilding 


226  NEW     BEDFORD. 


designs  on  the  lamps  and  pedestals  was  tried.     It  was  found  that  the 
glass  would  stand  fairly  well  a  "gold"  fire,  or  the  temperature  required 

4  to  make  the  gold  unite  with  the  glass,  and  the  new 
idea  was  an  instantaneous  and  brilliant  success. 
Everybod}'  wanted  decorated  lamps  and  hundreds  of 
thousands  were  made.  Occasionally  enamel  colors 
were  tried,  but  the  glass  was  unsuitable. 
Still  the  decorators  yearned  for  a  broader  field 
i. .-       --  ■  and  the  Smiths  commenced  reducing  the  colors  with 

I     ■     '     'ii^      flux,  causing  them  to  fuse  at  a  lower  temperature,  but 
ww^mif^W      this,    of  course,    affected    the    quality    of  the    color. 
^Mu^^''        The  problem  was  solved  years  after  by  the  Messrs. 
^^gSL        Smith.     It    was    another    phase  of  the    story  of  the 
Wr^^9       mountain    which    would    not    come    to    Mohammed. 
The  blank  shades  were  imported  and  Smith  Brothers  were  the  first 
decorating  firm  to  order  shades  from  abroad,  prepared  for  their  pur- 
poses.    Subsequently  all  the  decorators  followed  their  example. 

In  addition  to  gilding  lamps,  Mr.  Smith  introduced  a  new  style 
of  apothecary's  ware,  which  was  afterwards  driven  out  of  the  market 
by  the  invention  of  the  recessed  labels. 

After  a  few  years,  the  elder  Smith  severed  his  connection  with 
the  Boston  &  Sandwich  Company  and  established  the  Boston  China 
Decorating  Works,  now  managed  by  Levi  Coole}^  who  formerly 
fired  kilns  for  Mr.  Smith. 

In  the  spring  of  1871,  Messrs.  Alfred  E.  and  Harry  A.  Smith 
came  to  this  city  under  contract  with  William  L.  Libbey  and  estab- 
lished a  decorating  department  at  the  Mount  Washington  Glass 
Works,  starting  with  eight  or  ten  workmen.  Two  years  previously, 
decorated  ring  cone  shades  were  introduced  and  they  were  now  in 
good  demand.  The  decorating  department  here  was  a  success  from 
the  outset.  At  the  expiration  of  three  years  the  Messrs.  Smith  hired 
the  department,  bought  the  stock,  and  have  since  conducted  the  business. 
The  reputation  of  the  firm  of  Smith  Brothers  is  now  world-wide  and 
the  brothers  rank  first  in  their  particular  line.  They  have  graduated 
some  of  the  best  workmen  in  the  country  and  in  addition  to  the 
young  men  under  their  instruction,  employ  some  of  the  best  artists 
from  abroad. 

About  four  years  ago  the  firm  removed  to  the  building  Nos.  28 
and  30  William  street,  w-hich  it  now  occupies.     The  building  is  three 


INDUSTRIAL    AND    FINANCIAL. 


229 


Stories  high,  fifty  by  eighty  feet  in  area,  and  is  completely  equipped 
in  every  respect.  There  are  four  kilns,  and  about  thirty  workmen 
are  emplo3'ed. 

The  firm  has  kept  pace  with  the  rapid  advance  in  the  education 
of  the  taste  of  the  people.  At  first  only  ordinary  work  was  required, 
but  now  there  is  a  demand  for  a  line  of  artistic  work  which  was  never 
dreamed  of  a  few  years  ago.  After  the  rage  for  ring  cone  shades 
had  subsided,  the  firm  turned  its  attention  to  the  decoration  of  vases, 
and  produced  thousands.  These  vases  w-ere  nearly  all  sent  to  the 
silver  plating  works  for  mounting,  a  great  many  being  decorated 
for  Reed  &  Barton  and  the  Meriden  Britannia  Company.  What  is 
everywhere  known  as  the  "Smith  vase"  was  first  made  here,  and 
no  vase  ever  had  so  great  a  run  of  popularity.  Finally  the  pattern 
was  copied.  Horace  Partridge  placed  it  in  the  dollar  stores  and  the 
country  is  now  flooded  with  reproductions. 

Berry  and  similar  dishes  were  also  made.  Then  dome  shades 
became  the  fashion,  but  at  first  they  were  made  almost  exclusively  for 
the  chandelier  companies.  The  decoration  of  lamps  has  lent  a  new 
impetus  to  the  business  and  the  firm  is  now  decorating  a  great  many 
lamps  and  jars. 

The  lamp  vases  and  shades  painted  here  are  exquisitely  beau- 
tiful and  artistic.  Some  of  the  best  effects  are  obtained  on  shades  of 
white  with  a  bisque  finish.  Oriental  scenes  are  painted  in  the  most 
delicate  colors  and  are  of  dreamy  beauty.  When  lighted,  the  effects 
are  lovely,  and  the  details  of  the  work  will  bear  the  most  careful 
inspection.  Conventional  designs  in  enamel  and  gold,  with  Etruscan 
or  burnished  finish,  are  very  popular  and  artistic.  The  firm  also 
decorates  shades  on  special  orders  and  local  landscapes  are  frequently 
utilized.  While  imported  porcelains  yet  hold  sway,  but  little  if  an)- 
decorated  glass  ware  is  now  sent  to  this  country.  Baccara,  of  Paris, 
once  sent  the  finest  decorated  shades  to  this  country,  but  such  work 
as  that  done  at  the  establishment  of  Smith  Brothers  has  driven  foreign 
manufacturers  from  the  market. 

When  the  people  are  read}'  to  pay  tlie  price  for  domestic  deco- 
rated porcelains  that  they  will  pa\'  for  Royal  Worcester  and  other 
imported  ware.  Smith  Brothers  can  undoubtedly  produce  goods  which 
will  equal  and  excel  them  in  artistic  beauty  and  elfect.  The  prices 
paid  for  decorated  glass  ware  are  very  low  for  the  standard  of  work 
required.     A  ten-inch  shade,  for  instance,  calls  for  a  painting  thirtv 


230 


NEW    BEDFORD. 


inches  in  length,  which  must  equal  in  excellence  that  of  a  painting 
by  an  artist  on  canvas.  But  greater  skill  and  judgment  are  required 
by  the  painter  on  glass.  None  of  the  clear,  bright  colors  are  per- 
ceived until  the  work  is  completed  and  the  paint  is  fused  into  the 
material.  The  artist  consequently  labors  under  great  disadvantage 
in  applying  the  materials  that  are  to  produce  the  colors.  A  difference 
of  ten  or  twelve  degrees  in  the  temperature  of  the  kiln  makes  or  mars 
his  work.  Every  article  must  be  tried  by  fire.  If  the  kiln  is  too  hot 
the  article  is  warped  and  ruined.  When  it  is  taken  into  consideration 
that  in  some  instances  the  variety  of  colors  requires  an  article  to  pass 
through  the  kiln  three  times  before  it  is  completed,  the  reasonable 
price  of  decorated  glass  ware  is  to  be  marvelled  at. 

Within  a  few  months  the  firm  has  engaged  in  glass  cutting.  A 
number  of  fine  workmen  are  employed  and  some  beautiful  specimens 
of  the  cutters'  art  are  turned  out  at  the  factor}^ 

This  firm  made  a  display  at  the  centennial  exposition  which  was 
a  revelation  to  the  country,  and  it  received  diplomas  over  every  other 
competitor  for  the  special  excellence  of  its  work. 

The  King  Manufacturing  Company  manufactures  frames  and 
artistic  novelties  at  No.  147  North  Water  street.  This  company  was 
incorporated  in  1883  and  its  capital  is  $20,000.  The  following  are 
the  officers  of  the  company  : 

President  —  George  S.  Homer. 
Treasurer  —  Charles  E.  Barney. 

Directors  —  The  above,  with  William  H.  Washburn,  Frank  C. 
Smith,  and  Henry  P.  Jenney. 

A  factory  of  brick,  thirty-five  by  one  hundred  sixty  feet  in 
area,  two  stories  high,  was  erected  by  the  company,  and  equipped 
with  the  most  modern  machinery  and  appliances.  The  firm  makes  a 
specialty  of  pastel  or  crayon  drawings  and  of  fancy  frames  for  origi- 
nal pictures.  Such  is  the  demand  for  pastels  made  by  this  establish- 
ment that  the  firm  is  usually  five  or  six  weeks  behind  on  its  orders. 
The  pastels  are  made  in  sizes  ranging  from  eight  by  ten  inches  to 
large  pictures,  thirty  by  forty  inches.  This  firm  is  the  only  manu- 
facturer of  permanent  pastels  on  porcelain  panels,  the  process  of 
fixing  the  colors  so  that  they  will  not  rub  being  a  secret.  The  effect 
of  the  drawings  on  white  panels  of  etched  glass  is  verv  dainty  and 
charming.  The  company  also  manufactures  toilet  mirrors,  cabinet 
frames,  toilet  novelties,  broom  cases,  mouldings,  mats,  wall  pockets, 


INDUSTRIAL    AND    FINANCIAL.  23 1 


brackets,  towel  racks,  parlor  screens,  hat  racks,  wall  cabinets,  clock 
and  book  shelves,  artotype  cases,  parlor,  album,  and  table  easels, 
and  photograph  and  water  color  panels.  It  has  a  branch  factory  at 
Newport,  where  photographs  are  made  and  artotype  photographs 
and  etchings  are  printed,  and  about  ten  thousand  of  these  prints  are 
kept  constantly  in  stock. 

The  firm  makes  many  nice  frames  to  order  for  etchings,  upon 
which  "remarks,"  as  they  are  technically  called,  are  carved.  These 
"remarks"  are  designs  suggested  by  the  subject  of  the  pictures. 

About  one  thousand  designs  of  bronze,  gold,  ivory,  and  natural 
wood  mouldings  are  kept  in  stock,  and  the  ornaments  are  made  here. 
The  moulds  emplo}ed  in  their  manufacture  are  sunk  on  the  premises 
as  well.  This  firm  makes  a  larger  variety  of  turned  circular  frames 
than  any  other  company.  It  keeps  in  stock  about  four  hundred  styles 
of  cabinet  and  wall  brackets,  as  many  styles  of  fancy  frames,  and 
about  two  hundred  styles  of  parlor  easels. 

The  firm  employs  about  one  hundred  twenty  operatives  in  the 
busy  season  and  keeps  four  travelling  salesmen  on  the  road. 

The  firm  of  Peirce  &  Bushnell,  manufacturers  of  picture  frames, 
photographs,  and  art  novelties,  was  formed  in  1870,  Mr.  Peirce  sever- 
ing his  connection  at  about  that  time  with  the  firm  of  Charles  Taber 
&  Co.  Mr.  Bushnell  died  in  1882,  and  in  the  spring  of  1887  the 
business  passed  into  the  control  of  a  new  corporation,  known  as  the 
Peirce  &  Bushnell  Manufacturing  Company,  which  organized  with 
a  capital  stock  of  $30,000  and  with  the  following  officers  : 

President — William  D.  Howland. 
Treasurer  and  clerk  —  Arthur  G.  Grinnell. 

Directors  —  The  above,  with  Walter  Clifford,  Charles  W.  Plum- 
mer,  and  George  H.  H.  Allen. 

The  building  occupied  by  the  firm  is  on  the  east  side  of  North 
Water  street,  numbered  72  and  76.  It  is  three  stories  high,  with  ells 
at  the  south  and  east.  The  offices,  sample  and  stock  rooms,  and  the 
photographic  department  are  located  in  the  main  building.  In  the 
south  ell  are  the  polishing  and  packing  rooms  and  in  the  east  ell  are 
the  bronzing,  mat,  and  gilding  rooms  and  the  frame  shop.  In  the 
busy  season  about  one  hundred  fifty  hands  are  employed  at  this 
establishment.  The  space  occupied  by  the  various  departments  is 
about  one  hundred  thousand  square  feet. 

Photographs,    picture     frames,    mouldings,    brackets,    cabinets. 


232  NEW    BEDFORD. 


easels,  wall  pockets,  and  holiday  novelties  are  made  here,  and  the 
firm  will  not  yield  the  claim  for  first  place  in  the  manufacture  and 
coloring  of  photographs.  As  at  the  two  other  factories  in  the  city 
the  frame  mouldings  are  ornamented  and  carved  on  the  premises. 
from  original  designs,  and  the  goods  stand  well  in  point  of  artistic 
excellence  with  any  made  in  the  country.  The  company  has  a  New 
York  office  on  Great  Jones  street,  and  employs  three  travelling  sales- 
men. 

L.  A.  Littlefield,  manufacturer  of  trimmings  for  glass  ware  and 
electroplater,  has  built  up  a  thrifty  and  constantly  increasing  busi- 
ness at  No.  134  Union  street.  At  the  present  time  he  is  principally 
engaged  in  the  manufacture  of  caps  for  pepper,  salt,  and  mustard 
bottles.  He  employs  four  men,  and  electric  motors  furnish  power  for 
his  lathes.  Mr.  Littlefield  also  does  a  large  business  in  silver  and 
nickel  plating.  He  commenced  business  here  with  George  Needham, 
under  the  firm  name  of  Needham  &  Littlefield.  in  1884.  Mr.  Need- 
ham  withdrew  from  the  firm  in  April,  1888. 

Fred  H.  Sargent  is  engaged  in  gold,  silver,  and  nickel  plating 
at  the  corner  of  Pleasant  street  and  Mechanics  lane.  He  employs 
the  "close  plating"  process,  plating  carriage  trimmings  and  other 
new  goods,  as  well  as  replating  articles. 

Charles  F.  Folger,  manufacturer  of  cabinets,  easels,  brackets,  and 
screens,  started  business  in  1884  and  occupies  the  entire  three  story 
factor}-,  Nos.  133,  135,  and  137  South  Water  street.  He  employs 
between  fifteen  and  twenty  skillful  workmen  and  makes  wood  mantels 
and  sideboards  to  order.  He  is  also  prepared  to  fit  offices  and  do 
general  inside  finishing  for  stores  and  halls,  and  w^ood  turning  and 
jig  sawing  as  well.  Mr.  Folger  has  a  salesroom  at  No.  264  Canal 
street.  New  York  city,  and  J.  P.  Howatt  acts  as  his  general  agent. 

F.  Bertram  Aulich  carries  on  glass  decorating  in  the  three  story 
brick  building  Nos.  23  and  25  Union  street,  and  makes  a  specialty  of 
the  decoration  of  lamp  goods,  vases,  plaques,  and  alabaster  tiles. 
He  has  been  established  in  business  about  six  vears  and  employ's 
thirteen  men. 


INDUSTRIAI.    AND    FINANCIAL.  233 


BANKS  AND  BANKING. 


The  banking  facilities  of  New  Bedford  are  unusual  for  a  city  of 
its  size,  the  capital  and  surplus  of  our  national  and  savings  banks 
aggregating  considerably  over  twenty  million  dollars  and  exceeding 
by  several  million  dollars  the  entire  valuation  of  the  citv  fortv  vears 
ago. 

The  First  Nadonal  Bank,  at  the  southeast  corner  of  Union  and 
Second  streets,  was  formerly  the  Marine  Bank,  which  was  organized 
April  3,  1832,  with  a  capital  of  $200,000.  The  first  board  of  direct- 
ors comprised  Joseph  Grinnell,  Nathaniel  Hathaway,  Kimball  Perrv, 
Joseph  S.  Tillinghast,  Alexander  H.  Campbell,  Ephraim  Kempton, 
Benjamin  Russell,  Joseph  R.  Anthony,  and  William  W.  Swain.  In 
1833  the  capital  was  increased  to  $300,000,  in  185 1  to  $500,000,  and 
in  1855  to  $600,000.  Joseph  Grinnell  was  its  first  and  only  president, 
and  John  E.  Williams,  William  M.  Sisson,  and  John  P.  Barker  were 
the  cashiers.  This  bank  was  the  first  national  bank  in  the  city  and 
was  among  the  first  in  the  state  to  adopt  the  national  svstem.  This 
was  in  1864,  when  its  name  was  changed  to  that  which  it  now  bears. 
The  directors  were  Joseph  Grinnell,  Ward  M.  Parker,  William 
Gifford,  Edward  W.  Rowland,  Edward  C.  Jones,  Lemuel  Kollock, 
George  F.  Barker,  Otis  Seabury,  and  Ivory  H.  Bartlett.  Jr.  Joseph 
Grinnell  continued  to  act  as  president  of  the  bank  until  January,  1878. 
when  he  was  succeeded  by  Edward  W.  Howland,  and  finallv  bv 
William  Watkins.  In  i860  the  capital  was  increased  to  $1,000,000, 
at  which  amount  it  now  stands,  and  the  surplus  aggregates  $200,000. 
The  bank  has  been  since  its  organization  a  designated  depositorv  of 
the  United  States.  In  1874,  Walter  P.  Winsor  succeeded  Mr.  Barker 
as  cashier,  a  position  which  he  now  holds.  George  B.  Hathaway  is 
the  teller. 

The  directors  since  the  organization  as  the  Marine  Bank,  with 
the  years  in  which  their  terms  of  service  began  and  ended,  have  been 
as  follows  :  Joseph  Grinnell,  1832  to  1885  :  William  W.  Swain,  1832 
to  1845;  Nathaniel  Hathaway,  1832  to  1837:  Joseph  S.  Tillinghast, 
1832  to  1835:  Joseph  R.  Anthony,  1832  to  1840:  Kimball  Perry, 
1832,  six  months;  Alexander  II.  Campbell,  1832  to  1834;  Benjamin 
Russell,  1832   to   1833  ;  Ephraim   Kempton,   1832  to   1863  ;  Stephen 


234 


NEW    BEDFORD. 


Merrihew,  1832  to  1837;  William  C.  Taber,  1833  to  1857;  James 
Ilovvland,  2d,  1834  ^^  ^^^^  '  Atkins  Adams,  1835  to  1850  ;  Alexander 
II.  Seabury,  1837  to  1840,  and  1867  to  1887  ;  Edward  C.  Jones,  1837 
to  1880;  Ward  M.  Parker,  1840  to  1881  ;  Lemuel  Kollock,  1840  to 
1888;  Edward  W.  Howland,  1845  to  1879;  William  Gifford,  1851  to 
1866 ;  George  F.  Barker.  1857  to  1865  ;  Otis  Seabury,  i860  to  1875  ' 
Ivory  H.  Bartlett,  Jr.,  1862  to  1865  ;  James  Henry  Howland,  1865  to 
1884:  Joseph  C.  Delano,  1865  to  1886:  Charles  H.  Gitford,  1866  to 
1881  :  John  P.  Knowles,  2d,  1867  to  1887  ;  Samuel  P.  Burt,  187 1  to 
1875;  Abram  T.  Eddy,  1876:  Walter  P.  Winsor,  1879;  William 
Watkins,  1879;  Thomas  M.  Stetson,  1880;  Edward  S.  Taber,  1881  ; 
Edmund  Grinnell,  1882  to  1888  ;  William  Baylies,  1885  ;  Edward  T. 
Pierce,  1886  ;  Humphrey  W.  Seabur}-,  1887  ;  Savory  C.  Hathaway. 
1887:   Matthew  Luce,  1888;  Sidney  W.  Knowles,  1888. 

The  present  officers  are  as  follows  : 

President  —  William  Watkins. 

Cashier  —  Walter  P.  Winsor. 

Directors  —  Abram  T.  Eddy,  Walter  P.  Winsor,  William  Watkins. 
Thomas  M.  Stetson,  Edw^ard  S.  Taber,  William  Baylies,  Humphrey 
W.  Seabury,  Savory  C.  Hathaway,  Edward  T.  Pierce,  Matthew  Luce, 
and  Sidney  W.  Knowles. 

The  history  of  the  National  Bank  of  Commerce  is  of  peculiar 
interest.  In  1803,  we  read  that  the  business  of  the  town  had  increased 
sufficiently  to  warrant  the  establishment  of  a  bank  and  The  Bedford 
Bank  was  incorporated  with  a  capital  of  $60,000.  At  the  outset  it  was 
thought  this  amount  would  be  more  than  could  be  loaned,  but  in 
1804  it  became  necessary  to  increase  the  capital  to  the  enormous  sum 
of  $150,000.  In  1812,  the  old  charter  expired  and  as  the  countrv  was 
then  at  war  with  England,  the  state  of  business  was  deemed  so  preca- 
rious that  the  affairs  of  the  institution  were  concluded.  Thomas 
Hazard  was  the  tirst  president  and  John  Pickens  w'as  the  cashier. 
Among  the  first  directors  were  John  Howland,  Cornelius  Grinnell, 
William  Rotch,  Jr.,  and  Thomas  Nye. 

There  was  no  bank  in  New^  Bedford  for  an  interval  of  four  years, 
but  in  1816  the  Bedford  Commercial  Bank  w^as  established  with  a 
capital  of  $100,000,  which  was  increased  in  1821  to  $150,000  ;  in  1825 
to  $250,000:  in  1831  to  $400,000,  and  in  1851  to  $600,000.  Joseph 
Ricketson  w-as  elected  cashier  at  a  salary  of  $500  per  annum,  and 


o 


INDUSTRIAL    AND    FINANCIAL.  237 

John  Avery  Parker,  Cornelius  Grinnell,  Gideon  Hovvland,  George 
Howland,  Seth  Russell,  Jr. ,  James  Arnold,  Joseph  Ricketson,  Thomas 
Nye,  and  Samuel  Rodman,  Jr.,  were  chosen  directors,  with  George 
Howland  as  president.  The  old  bank  building  was  a  quaint  affair 
and  the  subterranean  vaults  were  calculated  to  defy  the  efforts  of 
thieves  who  might  be  disposed  to  break  through  and  steal.  George 
Howland  was  president  of  the  institution  until  his  death  in  185 1,  when 
Edward  Mott  Robinson  was  elected  to  the  position.  He  filled  the 
position  until  i860,  when  Thomas  Nye,  Jr.,  succeeded  him.  Thomas 
S.  Hathaway  held  the  office  from  1869  until  1878,  and  Francis  Hath- 
away, the  present  incumbent,  was  elected  in  1878. 

The  Bedford  Commercial  Bank  was  organized  as  tiie  National 
Bank  of  Commerce,  December  19,  1864,  and  Thomas  Nye,  Jr., 
William  J.  Rotch,  Thomas  S.  Hathaway,  George  Hussev,  Matthew 
Hovvland,  Charles  L.  Wood,  William  Hathaway,  Jr. ,  Thomas Knowles, 
Henry  Taber,  and  William  C.  N.  Swift  were  elected  directoi's.  In 
1874  ^^^^  capital  stock  was  increased  to  $1,000,000.  which  is  its  pres- 
ent capital.     The  surplus  is  now  $200,000. 

The  directors  of  the  bank  since  its  organization  in  1816,  with  the 
years  of  their  term  of  service,  have  been  as  follows  :  John  Avery 
Parker,  1816  to  1825  ;  Cornelius  Grinnell,  1816  to  183 1  ;  Gideon 
Howland,  Jr.,  1816  to  1825;  George  Howland,  1816  to  1852;  Seth 
Russell,  Jr.,  1816  to  1834;  James  Arnold,  1816  to  1836,  1837  to 
1838,  1840  to  1854;  Joseph  Ricketson,  1816  to  1842  ;  Thomas  Nye, 
1816  to  1831  ;  Samuel  Rodman,  Jr.,  1816  to  1849;  Nathaniel  Hatha- 
way, 1825  to  1832;  Thomas  Rotch,  1825  to  1826;  Charles  W. 
Morgan,  1826  to  1848  ;  Joseph  Grinnell,  1831  to  1832;  William  T. 
Russell,  1831  to  1837;  Thomas  S.  Hathaway,  1832  to  1878;  Jireh 
Perry,  1832  to  1849;  Thomas  Nye,  Jr.,  1834  to  1869,  1871  to  1883  ; 
Edward  Mott  Robinson,  1836  to  1840.  1848  to  i860;  William  Hatha- 
way, Jr.,  1838  to  1886;  Abraham  H.  Howland,  1842  to  1847; 
Charles  L.  Wood,  1847  to  1882;  William  C.  Nye,  1849  to  1850; 
William  C.  N.  Swift,  1849;  George  Hussey,  1849  to  1866;  William 
J.  Rotch.  1852  ;  Matthew  Howland,  1852  to  1885  ;  Frederick  Parker, 
1859  to  1862  ;  John  Hunt,  i860  to  1862  ;  Henry  Taber,  1862 
Thomas  Knowles,  1862  to  1878;  John  H.  Clifford,  1866  to  1872 
Leander  A.  Plummer,  1867  to  1885  ;  James  Robinson,  1872  to  1875 
Benjamin  T.  Cummings,  1877  to  1882  ;  Charles  W.  Clifford,  1878 
Francis   Hathaway,   1878;  Frederick  Swift.    1880;    Morgan  Rotch, 


238  NEW     BEDFORD. 

1882;  William  A.  Robinson,  1882;  Oliver  Prescott,  1883;  Otis  N. 
Pierce,  1883  ;  Charles  W.  Plummer,  1883  ;  Joseph  F.  Knowles,  1883  ; 
Walter  Clifford,  1885  ;  Manly  U.  Adams,  1885  ;  William  D.  How- 
land,  1886. 

The  cashiers  have  been  as  follows  :  Joseph  Ricketson,  1816-34, 
James  H.  Crocker,  1834-38  ;  Thomas  B.  White,  1838-73  ;  Benjamin 
F.  Coombs,  1873-76  ;  and  James  H.  Tallman,  1877  to  the  present  time. 
The  teller  is  Horace  Wood. 

The  present  officers  of  the  bank  are  as  follows  : 

President — Francis  Hathawa}-. 

Vice  president  —  William  C.  N.  Swift. 

Cashier — James  H.  Tallman. 

Directors  —  Francis  Hathaway,  William  C.  N.  Swift,  Henry 
Taber,  William  J.  Rotch,  Charles  W.  Clifford,  William  A.  Robinson. 
Frederick  Swift,  Oliver  Prescott,  Charles  W.  Plummer,  Walter  Clif- 
ford, Morgan  Rotch,  Otis  N.  Pierce,  Joseph  F.  Knowles,  William  D. 
Howland,  and  Manly  U.  Adams. 

In  1883  the  imposing  bank  building  of  brick  and  brownstone,  on 
North  Water  street,  now  occupied  b}^  the  bank,  was  erected,  and  it  is 
regarded  as  one  of  the  ornaments  of  the  cit\'. 

The  Merchants  National  Bank  has  elegantly  fitted  quarters  in  the 
stately  building  on  Water  street,  at  the  foot  of  William.  It  is  the 
offspring  of  the  Merchants  Bank,  which  was  organized  July  13,  1825, 
with  a  capital  of  $150,000.  This  was  increased  while  the  bank  was 
doing  business  under  the  state  law  in  1828,  to  $250,000;  in  1831  to 
$400,000;  and  in  1851  to  $600,000.  The  first  board  of  directors 
consisted  of  John  Avery  Parker,  Samuel  Borden,  Job  Eddy,  Abraham 
Barker,  Joseph  Bourne,  William  H.  Allen,  David  R.  Greene,  John 
Coggeshall,  Jr.,  and  AllVed  Gibbs.  Mr.  Parker  was  the  president  of 
the  bank  until  his  death,  December  23,  1853.  Charles  R.  Tucker 
succeeded  him,  holding  the  office  until  his  death,  December  21,  1876, 
when  Jonathan  Bourne  succeeded  him,  and  is  now  president.  James 
B.  Congdon  was  the  first  cashier.  He  resigned  January  i,  1858,  and 
was  succeeded  by  Peleg  C.  Howland,  to  whose  untiring  zeal  is  due 
in  a  great  measure  the  bank's  present  standing  of  excellence.  On 
the  death  of  Mr.  Howland,  October  26,  1885,  Henry  C.  W.  Mosher 
was  elected  to  the  position  and  is  now  cashier.  Gideon  B.  Wright 
and  Lloyd  S.  Swain  are  the  tellers.  The  bank  was  reorganized  as 
The  Merchants  National  Bank  of  New  Bedford,  February  14,  1865, 


240  NKW    BEDFORD. 

with  the  following  board  of  directors :  Charles  R.  Tucker,  Abra- 
ham Barker,  David  R.  Greene,  Gideon  Allen,  Thomas  Bradley, 
Dennis  Wood,  Jonathan  Bourne,  William  P.  Rowland,  and  Andrew 
Hicks.  The  capital  stock  at  that  time  was  $600,000,  with  a  surplus 
of  $166,050.58.  In  1869  the  capital  was  increased  to  $1,000,000, 
at  which  figure  it  now  stands,  with  a  surplus  of  $500,000. 

The  directors  of  this  bank  since  the  beginning,  with  the  years  of 
their  term  of  service,  have  been  as  follows  :     John  Avery  Parker, 
1825  to   1854;  William  H.  Allen,  1825  to   1829;  Abraham  Barker, 
1825  to  1871  :  John  Coggeshall,  Jr.,  1825   to  1844;  Joseph  Bourne, 
1825  to  1828  ;  Alfred  Gibbs,  1825  to  1842  ;  Job  Eddy,  1825  to  1853  ; 
David  R.   Greene,   1825    to    1880;  Samuel    Borden,    1825   to   1849; 
William  C.  Nye,  1829  to  1831  ;  Gideon  Allen,  1832  to   1878  ;  Nehe- 
miah    Leonard,    1832    to    1843  ;  Edward   L.    Baker,    1843   to    1864 
Charles  R.  Tucker,   1844    to    1876;    Dennis  Wood,    1850  to   1878 
William  Penn    Rowland,    1850    to    1869;   Jonathan    Bourne,   1854 
Andrew  Hicks,   1854;  Thomas  Bradley,    1855   to   1873:  George  F 
Bardett.  1866;  William  R.  Wing,  1866;  George  R.  Phillips,  1866 
Joseph  Arthur  Beauvais,  1872  to   1875  ?  George  F.  Kingman,  1876 
Stephen  G.  Driscol,   1876  to   1881  ;  Lewis  S.  Judd,    1877   to   1886 
Samuel  C.   Hart,  1878;  Thomas  H.  Knowles,  1878:  Gilbert  Allen, 
1879;  Abraham  H.  Rowland,  Jr.,  1879  to  1887  :  Francis  B.  Greene. 
1880;  WilHam  N.  Church,  1882;  George  S.   Homer,   1887:  James 
Delano,  1888. 

The  officers,  as  they  now  stand,  are  as  follows  : 

President — Jonathan  Bourne. 

Cashier — Henry  C.  W.  Mosher. 

Dn-ectors — Jonathan  Bourne,  Andrew  Hicks,  George  F.  Bartlett, 
William  R.  Wing,  George  F.  Kingman,  William  N.  Church,  Thomas 
H.  Knowles,  Samuel  C.  Hart,  Gilbert  Allen,  Francis  B.  Greene,  James 
Delano,  and  George  S.  Homer. 

The  Mechanics  National  Bank  occupies  handsome  quarters  in 
the  same  building.  This  was  originally  a  state  bank  and  was  incor- 
porated October  3,  183 1,  under  the  name  of  "The  President,  Direct- 
ors, and  Company  of  the  Mechanics  Bank  in  New  Bedford."  In 
March,  1849,  the  legislature  was  petitioned  for  a  renewal  of  the  origi- 
nal charter,  which  would  expire  October  i,  185 1,  by  limitation.  The 
bank  did  not  cease  business  as  a  state  bank  until  March  31,  1865, 
although  the  bank  was  reorganized  as  a  national  bank,  June  3,  1864. 


INDUSTRIAL    AND    FINANCIAL.  24I 


The  original  capital  was  $200,000,  which  was  increased  to 
$400,000  April  12,  1854,  and  to  $600,000,  the  present  capital  of  the 
Mechanics  National  Bank,  in  June,  1857.  The  present  surplus  is 
$225,000. 

The  original  board  of  directors  comprised  William  R.  Rodman, 
Thomas  Mandell,  George  T.  Baker,  Joseph  R.  Shiverick,  John  Per- 
kins, Edmund  Gardner,  Pardon  Tillinghast,  Andrew  Robeson,  and 
Dudley  Davenport.  Following  are  given  the  names  of  all  who  have 
served  the  bank  as  directors,  with  the  years  in  which  their  service 
began  and  ended  :  William  R.  Rodman,  183 1  to  185 1  ;  Thomas 
Mandell,  1831  to  1870;  George  T.  Baker,  1831  to  1843  :  Joseph  R. 
Shiverick,  1831  to  i860;  John  Perkins,  1831  to  1849;  Edmund 
Gardner,  1831  to  1872  ;  Pardon  Tillinghast,  1831  to  1872  ;  Andrew 
Robeson,  1831  to  1848;  Dudley  Davenport,  1831  to  1848;  James  H. 
Collins,  1843  to  1861  ;  William  Cummings.  1848  to  1849;  Jonathan 
Rowland,  1848  to  1849;  John  R.  Thornton.  1849:  Jireh  Swift,  Jr., 
1849;  Edmund  Taber,  1849  to  1861  ;  Henry  Taber,  1851  to  1852: 
William  Watkins.  1852  to  1880  :  Loum  Snow,  i860  to  1872  ;  William 
W.  Crapo,  1861  ;  Thomas  Wilcox,  1861  ;  Sylvanus  Thomas,  1866  to 
1867  ;  Andrew  G.  Pierce,  1867  ;  Edward  D.  Mandell,  1871  ;  Horatio 
Hathaway,  1872  ;  Henry  F.  Thomas,  1872  to  1880  ;  Loum  Snow,  Jr., 
1876;  E.  Williams  Hervey,  1883  ;  Edward  Kilburn.  1883  5  Henry  C. 
Denison,  1887. 

William  R.  Rodman  was  the  first  president.  He  held  the  office 
for  twenty  years,  resigning  in  October,  185 1.  Thomas  Mandell  suc- 
ceeded him,  being  elected  president  October  11,  185 1,  and  holding 
the  office  until  his  death,  February  13,  1870.  William  W.  Crapo  was 
chosen  president  June  i,  1870,  and  still  retains  that  position. 

Joseph  Congdon  was  the  first  cashier  and  he  held  the  position 
until  October  7,  1857,  a  period  of  twenty-six  years,  when  he  resigned 
on  account  of  ill  health.  E.  Williams  Hervey  succeeded  Mr.  Cong- 
don as  cashier,  being  elected  October  7,  1857.  He  held  the  position 
until  August  9,  1882,  when  he  also  resigned  on  account  of  ill  health, 
after  havinir  been  for  twentv-nine  vears  in  the  service  of  the  bank, 
and  cashier  for  a  period  of  nearly  Iwenly-live  years.  James  W.  Her- 
vey succeeded  him  and  is  the  present  cashier.  Lenniel  T.  Terry  is 
the  assistant  cashier,  and  the  present  officers  ol  the  bank  are  as 
follows  : 


242  NEW    BEDFORD. 


President  —  William  W.  Crapo. 

Vice  president — Andrew  G.  Pierce. 

Cashier — James  W.  Hervey. 

Directors  —  William  W.  Crapo,  Andrew  G.  Pierce,  John  R. 
Thornton,  Jireh  Swift,  Thomas  Wilcox,  Edward  D.  Mandell,  Horatio 
Hathaway,  E.  Williams  Hervey,  Loum  Snow,  Jr.,  Edward  Kilburn, 
and  Henry  C.  Denison. 

The  Citizens  National  Bank,  36  North  Water  street,  was  incorpo- 
rated May  17,  1875,  with  the  following  board  of  directors  :  J.  Arthur 
Beauvais,  John  P.  Knowles,  William  J.  Kilburn,  Joseph  H.  Cornell, 
Lewis  S.  Judd,  and  John  F.  Tucker.  Mr.  Beauvais,  who  was  at  that 
time  engaged  in  a  successful  private  banking  enterprise,  transferred 
his  business  to  the  new  bank  and  was  elected  president,  a  position 
which  lie  still  holds.  The  bank  was  organized  with  a  capital  of 
$250,000,  which  was  subsequently  increased  to  $500,000,  and  this 
latter  amount  is  now  supplemented  by  a  surplus  of  $52,500.  Thomas 
B.  Fuller  was  the  first  cashier,  and  on  his  death  in  1886,  Edward  S. 
Brown  was  elected  to  the  position.  George  M.  Kingman  is  teller. 
Its  directors,  with  the  years  of  their  service,  have  been  as  follows  : 
J.  Arthur  Beauvais,  1875  '  John  P.  Knowles,  1875  ;  William  J.  Kil- 
burn, 1875  5  Charles  Tucker,  1875  ^  Joseph  H.  Cornell,  1875  ^^ 
1884:  Lewis  S.  Judd,  1875  to  1876;  John  F.  Tucker,  1875  to  1886; 
Henry  T.  Wood,  1876  to  1883  ?  George  Marston,  1880  to  1883  ; 
Fred  S.  Potter,  1881  ;  Oliver  P.  Brightman,  1884;  Wendell  H. 
Cobb,  1884  to  1888;  Thomas  B.  Fuller,  1885  to  1886;  David  B. 
Kempton,  1886;  Cyrenius  W.  Haskins,  1887. 

The  present  officers  are  as  follows  : 

President — J.  Arthur  Beauvais. 

Cashier  —  Edward  S.  Brown. 

Directors — J.  Arthur  Beauvais,  John  P.  Knowles,  William  J. 
Kilburn,  Charles  Tucker,  Fred  S.  Potter,  Oliver  P.  Brightman,  David 
B.  Kempton,  Cyrenius  W.  Haskins,  Hosea  M.  Knowlton,  and  Benja- 
min Wilcox. 

Recently  the  national  banks  organized  an  association  known  as 
the  New  Bedford  Clearing  House,  with  James  W.  Herve}'  as  presi- 
dent and  Edward  S.  Brown,  secretary.  All  clearings  are  made  at 
the  National  Bank  of  Commerce,  under  the  management  of  James 
H.  Tallman. 

The  national  banks  have  each  several  hundred  small  safes 
within  their  vaults  for  the  gratuitous  use  of  their  depositors. 


INDUSTRIAL    AND    FINANCIAL. 


245 


The  New  Bedford  Institution  for  Savings  enjoys  the  distinction  of 
having  the  largest  aggregate  of  deposits  of  any  savings  bank  in  New 
England,  outside  of  Boston,  with  one  exception.  It  occupies  the 
neat  and  convenient  building  at  the  northeast  corner  of  William  and 
Second  streets. 

The  institution  was  incorporated  in  1825,  by  the  following  gentle- 
men :     William    Rotch,  Jr.,    Gilbert    Russell,     Cornelius    Grinnell, 


NEW  BEDFORD  INSTITUTION   FOR  SAVINGS. 

Andrew  Robeson,  Haydon  Coggeshall,  Benjamin  Rodman,  John 
Averv  Parker,  Eli  Haskell,  Richard  Williams,  George  I  lowland, 
Joseph  Bourne,  Abraham  Shearman,  Jr.,  William  W.  Swain,  Thomas 
Rotch,  Thomas  A.  Greene,  Charles  W.  Morgan,  Samuel  Rodman, 
Jr.,  John  B.  Smith,  William  C.  Nye,  Thomas  S.  Swain,  William  H. 
Allen,  Lemuel  Williams,  Jr.,  John  Howland,  Jr.,  Charles  H.  Warren, 
William   P.    Grinnell,  Joseph  Ricketson,  Charles  Grinnell,  Nathan 


246 


NKW     BEDFORD. 


Bates,  John  Coggeshall,  Jr.,  James  Rowland,  2d,  and  Gideon  How- 
land.      Every  one  of  these  men  is  now  dead. 
The  first  officers  were  as  follows  : 

President  —  William  Rotch,  Jr. 

Treasurer — Abraham  Shearman,  Jr. 

Secretary — John  B.  Smith. 

Trustees  —  William  Rotch,  Jr.,  Gilbert  Russell,  Cornelius  Grin- 
nell,  Haydon  Coggeshall,  John  A.  Parker,  Eli  Haskell,  Joseph 
Bourne,  Abraham  Shearman,  Jr.,  Thomas  Rotch,  Thomas  A.  Green, 
Charles  W.  Morgan,  Samuel  Rodman,  Jr.,  William  C.  Nye,  Thomas 
S.  Swain,  John  Howland,  Jr.,  William  P.  Grinnell,  Nathaniel  Bates, 
John  Coggeshall,  Jr.,  and  Gideon  Howland. 

Following  is  a  list  of  officers  from  1825  until  the  present  time  : 

Presidents — William  Rotch,  Jr.,  Abraham  Barker,  Thomas 
Mandell,  Pardon  Tillihghast,  William  C.  Taber,  and  William 
Watkins. 

Secretaries — John  B.  Smith,  Abraham  Shearman,  Jr., Thomas  A. 
Green,  Joseph  Ricketson,  George  Howland,  Jr.,  James  B.  Congdon. 
Charles  R.  Tucker,  William  C.  Taber,  Edmund  Taber,  Henry  T. 
Wood,  and  William  G.  Wood. 

Treasurers  —  Abraham  Shearman,  Jr.,  William  C.  Taber,  George 
W.  Baker,  William  C.  Taber  (treasurer,  ^r^;*  /rw. ),  Reuben  Nye, 
William  C.  Coffin,  and  Charles  H.  Peirce. 

The  present  officers  are  as  follows  : 

President — William  Watkins. 

Vice  presidents  —  William  J.  Rotch,  Edward  D.  Mandell. 

Treasurer — Charles  H.  Peirce. 

Clerk  — William  G.  Wood. 

Auditors — Benjamin  Irish,  Robert  B.  Giffiord. 

Auditor  of  depositors'  accounts  —  Benjamin  Irish. 

Trustees — Benjamin  T.  Ricketson,  John  R.  Thornton,  George 
A.  Bourne,  William'j.  Rotch,  William  Watkins,  Edward  D.  Mandell, 
Gilbert  Allen,  Andrew  G.  Pierce,  Charles  H.  Giffiard,  Asa  C.  Peirce, 
William  G.  Wood,  William  C.  Taber,  Jr..  Joshua  C.  Hitch,  Abram  T. 
Eddy,  Horatio  Hathaway,  Edward  S.  Taber,  Thomas  M.  Hart, 
Charles  W.  Cliffiard,  Isaac  W.  Benjamin,  Francis  Hathawav,  William 
A.  Robinson,  Charles  W.  Plummer.  Isaac  B.  Tompkins,  Jr.,  George 
D.  Watkins,  William  D.  Howland,  Jonathan  Handy,  Morgan  Rotch, 
Lemuel  T.  Terry,  Edmund  Wood,  Charles  P.  Rugg.  Walter  Clifford, 
Gideon  Allen,  Jr.,  Edward  T.  Pierce. 

The  first  deposit,  fifty  dollars,  was  made  by  Rhoda  E.  Wood,  of 
Fairhaven,  August  15,   1825.     The  amount  of  deposits,  January  5, 


INDUSTRIAL    AND    FINANCIAL.  247 

1889,  was  $10,683,053.13;  guaranty  fund,  $360,000;  undivided 
earnings,  $119,390.51.     The  number  of  accounts  was  20,626. 

The  New  Bedford  Five  Cents  Savings  Bank  was  incorporated 
May  5,  1855,  and  its  banking  rooms  are  now  at  No.  71  Purchase 
street,  at  the  corner  of  Mechanics  lane.  The  original  incorporators 
were :  Thomas  B.  White,  William  H.  Taylor,  Lemuel  Kollock, 
Ivory  H.  Bardett,  Alexander  H.  Seabury,  Charles  Almy,  Henry  H. 
Crapo,  George  Rowland,  Jr.,  and  Asa  R.  Nye.  Of  these,  George 
Rowland,  Jr.,  is  the  only  survivor. 

The  first  officers  were  as  follows  : 

President  —  George  Rowland,  Jr. 

Vice  presidents  —  Renry  R.  Crapo,  Alexander  R.  Seabury. 

Treasurer — John  P.  Barker. 

Secretary  —  Charles  Almy. 

Trustees  —  George  Rowland,  Jr.,  Ilenrv  R.  Crapo,  Alexander 
R.  Seabury,  John  P.  Barker,  Charles  Almy,  Thomas  B.  White, 
Ivorv  R.  Bartlett,  Nehemiah  Leonard,  Andrew  Robeson,  Edward  W. 
Rowland,  Moses  Rowe,  Joshua  Richmond,  George  F.  Baker,  Dennis 
Wood,  Charles  Ritch,  James  Durfee,  Lemuel  Kollock,  Asa  R.  Nye, 
Edward  D.  Mandell,  William  P.  Rowland,  Alden  G.  Ellis,  J.  Arthur 
Beauvais,  Moses  G.  Thomas,  Samuel  Ivers,  Simpson  Rart,  Abner  J. 
Phipps,  William  R.  Taylor,  James  Taylor,  William  R.  Rodman, 
Roratio  Leonard,  and  John  Wood. 

The  officers  of  the  organization  to  the  present  time  have  been  : 

President  —  George  Rowland,  Jr. 

Secretaries  —  Charles  Almy,  James  Taylor. 

Vice  presidents — Alexander  R.  Seabury,  Dennis  Wood,  Fred- 
erick S.  Allen,  Lemuel  Kollock,  and  Walter  Clifford. 

Treasurers— John  P.  Barker,  from  May,  1855,  to  October,  1855  ; 
James  C.  Ricketson,  from  October,  1855,  to  April  6,  1861  :  Barton 
Ricketson,  Jr.,  from  April,  1861,  until  the  present  time. 

The  present  officers  are  : 

President  —  George  Rowland,  Jr. 

Vice  presidents  —  Frederick  S.  Allen,  Walter  Clifford. 

Treasurer  —  Barton  Ricketson,  Jr. 

Clerk — James  Taylor. 

Trustees  —  George"  Rowland,  Jr.,  Frederick  S.  Allen,  Edward 
B.  Whiting,  William  Baylies,  Samuel  Ivers,  Thomas  Wilcox,  Will- 
iam G.  Taber,  John  P.  Knowles,  2d,  E.  Williams  Ilervey.  Warren 
Ladd,  James  Taylor,  Ilenrv  J.  Taylor,  William  J.  Kilburn.  Edwin 
Dews,  Frederick  S.  Potter,  William  R.  Wing,  James  P.  Macomber, 


248  NEW    BEDFORD. 

J.  Augustus  Brownell,  Loum  Snow,  Frederick  S.  Giffbrd,  Thomas 
H.  Knowles,  Henry  C.  Denison,  Samuel  H.  Cook,  Samuel  C.  Hart, 
Otis  N.  Pierce,  C.  B.  H.  Fessenden,  George  N.  Alden,  Benjamin 
T.  Cummings,  Oliver  F.  Brown,  Edward  H.  Allen,  George  F.  King- 
man, Parkman  M.  Lund,  John  F.  Swift,  Horace  Wood,  Frederick 
H.  Hooper,  Walter  Clifford,  George  H.  H.  Allen,  J.  Arthur  Beau- 
vais,  Sidney  W.  Knowles,  Gilbert  D.  Kingman. 

The  first  deposit,  $25,  was  made  by  Horace  W.  Barker,  May  26, 
1855.  The  deposits  in  December,  1888,  had  reached  $4,156,669.86; 
earnings,  $39,218.92;  reserve  fund,  $100,320.13;  surplus  fund, 
$38,765.99.     The  number  of  accounts  open  was  15,835. 

Money  goes  on  interest  the  second  Wednesday  of  January,  April, 
JuW,  and  October.  Dividends  are  payable  on  the  second  Wednesday 
of  April  and  October. 

The  New  Bedford  Safe  Deposit  and  Trust  Company  was  incor- 
porated by  the  legislature  of  1887,  with  a  capital  stock  of  $100,000, 
and  authority  to  increase  to  $500,000.  Business  was  commenced  in 
June,  1888.  In  November  of  the  same  year  the  stockholders  voted 
to  increase  the  capital  stock  to  $200,000.  At  that  date  the  number  of 
depositors  was  one  hundred  eighty-tw^o  and  the  deposits  amounted  to 
$150,000.  The  banking  rooms  are  on  the  northeast  corner  of  William 
street  and  Acushnet  avenue  and  the  quarters  are  sumptuous  and  ele- 
gant in  every  respect.  It  provides  means  for  the  safe  deposit  of  any 
valuable  article,  it  may  be  appointed  trustee  under  any  will  or  instru- 
ment creating  a  trust  for  the  care  and  management  of  property,  under 
the  same  circumstances,  in  the  same  manner,  and  subject  to  the  same 
control  by  the  court  having  jurisdiction  of  the  same,  as  in  the  case  of 
a  legally  qualified  person. 

The  company  acts  as  agent  for  any  corporation,  city,  or  town  in 
issuing  certificates  of  stock,  bonds,  or  other  evidences  of  indebtedness, 
and  for  the  payment  of  dividends  and  interest  thereon.  It  also  acts 
as  agent  in  collecting  and  disbursing  the  income  on  any  property 
which  may  be  placed  in  its  charge. 

In  addition  to  the  various  departments  of  activit}'  which  have  been 
enumerated,  the  company  also  does  a  general  banking  business,  pre- 
cisely like  that  of  a  national  bank,  except  that  it  issues  no  bank  notes. 
Deposits  of  money  are  received  payable  by  check  on  presentation, 
and    interest    is    allow^ed    on    dailv  balances   and  credited   monthlv. 


INDUSTRIAL    AND    FINANCIAL.  249 


Special  rates  of  interest  are  allowed  on  time  deposits.  Notes  are 
discounted  and  collections  made  the  same  as  at  any  bank. 

The  distinctive  feature  of  this  institution  is  its  fme  vault,  which 
was  built  by  the  Hall  Safe  and  Lock  Company  of  Cincinnati,  Ohio. 
It  contains  four  hundred  eighty-nine  small  safes  of  various  sizes, 
ranging  from  two  and  one-half  by  four  and  three-quarters  inches 
to  twenty  by  twenty-four  inches.  They  are  uniformh'  twenty-three 
inches  deep.  There  are  also  storage  rooms  for  pictures,  silver  ware, 
and  jewelry. 

The  directors  of  the  institution  are  Charles  E.  Hendrickson, 
William  D.  Howland,  Abbott  P.  Smith,  Benjamin  F.  Brownell, 
Savory  C.  Hathaway,  Lot  B.  Bates,  Stephen  A.  Brownell,  Standish 
Bourne,  Frederic  Taber,  John  W.  Macomber,  Lemuel  LeBaron 
Holmes,  and  George  C.  Hatch. 

The  officers  are  as  follows  : 

President — Charles  E.  Hendrickson. 

Vice  presidents  —  William  D.  Howland,  Abbott  P.  Smith. 
Cashier  —  Edmund  W.  Bourne. 
Secretar}'  —  Edward  T.  Tucker. 

Executive  committee  —  William  D.  Howland,  John  W.  Macom- 
ber, Lemuel  LeBaron  Holmes.  Standish  Bourne,  Abbott  P.  Smith. 

The  New  Bedford  Cooperative  Bank,  or  loan  association,  was 
organized  July  8,  1881,  chartered  three  days  later,  and  commenced 
business  August  19.  On  the  first  night  $374  was  paid  in.  The 
membership  has  increased  from  ibrt}^  or  fifty  to  six  hundred  eight  and 
the  total  amount  paid  in  has  been  $190,479.45.  The  authorized  cap- 
ital is  $1,000,000.  Over  twehe  hundred  books  ha\  e  been  issued  and 
five  hundred  three  loans  have  been  placed  in  sums  ranging  from 
twenty  dollars  to  five  thousand  dollars.  The  bank  has  paid  an 
average  profit  of  6.V  per  cent.  There  are  now  one  hundred  forty- 
three  real  estate  loans,  aggregating  in  amount  $167,148.90,  and  the 
value  of  the  first  series  of  shares  is  now  $1 1 1.02.  The  by-laws  have 
been  amended  from  time  to  time  so  that  shares  in  the  first  five  series 
may  be  withdrawn  without  loss  of  profits.  The  present  officers  are 
as  follows  : 

President — Isaac  W.  Benjamin. 
Vice  president  —  George  R.  Stetson. 
Secretary  —  Charles  R.  Price. 
Treasurer  —  Gideon  B.  Wright. 


250 


NEW    BEDFORD. 


Directors — -Benjamin  Anthony,  Oliver  P.  Brightman,  Jasper  W. 
Braley,  Jethro  C.  Brock,  John  L.  Gibbs,  Henry  Howard,  Samuel 
Jones,  Samuel  S.  Paine,  Rufus  A.  Soule,  John  A.  Bates,  Benjamin 
F.  Brovvnell,  Charles  S.  Paisler,  David  W.  Holmes.  Andrew  R. 
Palmer,  Stephen  x\.  Brownell. 

Auditors  —  Isaac  B.  Tompkins,  Jr..  Frederic  Taber.  Daniel  W. 
Cory. 

Attorney  —  Hosea  M.  Knowlton. 


METAL  WORKERS. 

The  metal  working  industries  of  the  city  are  varied  and  inter- 
esting, while  some  of  them  are  exceptional  in  their  character. 

The  New  Bedford  Copper  Company  was  one  of  the  first,  as  it  is 
one  of  our  representative,  branches  of  industrial  enterprise.  The 
company  w^as  incorporated  in  i860  with  a  paid  up  capital  of  $250,000 
and  it  manufactures  copper  and  yellow  metal  sheathing,  copper  roll- 
ers for  calico  printers,  yellow  metal  bolts,  and  cut  nails,  braziers', 
dimension,  and  bolt  copper,  etc.  The  works  are  situated  on  the  east 
side  of  North  Front  street  and  the  main  rolling  mill  is  two  hundred 
fifty  by  one  hundred  feet.  There  is  also  a  building  one  hundred 
seventy-five  b}^  sixty  feet  for  mixing  metals  and  refining  copper,  and 
office,  store  rooms,  carpenter  and  blacksmith  shops,  and  a  brick  yard, 
covering  an  area  of  three  hundred  bv  twenty-five  feet.  The  front- 
age of  the  property  is  three  hundred  feet  and  it  extends  easterly  to  the 
river,  a  distance  of  about  three  hundred  fift}'  feet.  It  is  proposed 
to  fill  in  to  the  channel,  a  distance  of  about  one  hundred  fifty  feet 
farther.  The  mill  is  equipped  with  an  engine  of  three  hundred 
horse  powder,  one  boiler  twenty-six  feet  long  and  seven  feet  in  diameter, 
and  eight  smaller  boilers  placed  over  the  reheating  furnaces. 

Lake  Superior  copper  is  used  exclusively  in  the  manufacture  of 
sheet  copper  and  print  rollers,  and  only  the  best  materials  are 
employed  in  the  manufacture  of  all  goods.  This  copper  is  regarded 
as  the  best  produced  in  the  world,  and  it  reaches  the  factory  in  cakes 
weighing  about  two  hundred  pounds  each.  Yellow  metal  is  a  mix- 
ture of  sixty  parts  copper  and  forty  parts  zinc  spelter  and  in  its  man- 
ufacture five  melting  and  nine  refining  furnaces  are  used.  There  are 
huge  rollers  of  tremendous  strength,  through  which  the  metal  is 
rolled,  and  the  print  rollers  are  turned  in  lathes,  built  expressly  for  the 


INDUSTRIAL    AND    FINANCIAL.  253 

purpose.  There  are  onl}^  two  manufactories  in  the  country  where 
print  rollers  are  manufactured  and  the  works  in  this  city  take  the  lead 
in  this  industry.  The  company  makes  a  specialty  of  Muntz  yellow 
metal  bolts  for  piston  rods  for  marine  engines,  and  has  lately  gone 
into  the  manufacture  of  solder  irons,  with  most  satisfactory  results. 

The  number  of  hands  employed  is  about  one  hundred,  and  the 
officers  of  the  company  are  as  follows  : 

President  —  Gilbert  Allen. 

Treasurer  and  general  manager  —  William  H.  Mathews. 

Directors  — Gilbert  Allen,  William  J.  Rotch,  Edward  D.  Man- 
dell,  Charles  W.  Clifford,  George  R.  Phillips,  Humphrey  W.  Seabury, 
and  Frederick  S.  Allen. 

To  the  Morse  Twist  Drill  &  Machine  Company  belongs  the 
unusual  distinction  of  having  founded  an  entirely  new  industry.  It 
was  in  1861  that  Samuel  A.  Morse  conceived  the  idea  of  the  manu- 
facture of  his  famous  drill,  and  he  started  an  experimental  shop  at 
East  Bridgewater.  The  old  fashioned  drill  pierced  a  piece  of  iron 
about  as  one  would  bore  a  bit  of  pine  with  the  point  of  a  pen  knife. 
Twist  drills  for  boring  metals  had  been  occasionally  made  by  filing  or 
milling  spiral  channels  around  a  piece  of  steel  wire,  or  more  com- 
monly by  twisting  a  flattened  piece  of  steel,  but  the  cutting  lip  of  such 
drills  was  generally  on  a  concave  line  and  the  outer  point  was  quite 
likely  to  break.  Mr.  Morse  employed  a  milling  tool  which  produced 
a  straight  lip,  which  cut  its  way  through  metal  like  an  auger,  doing 
better  work,  with  less  expenditure  of  power.  The  liability  to  injury 
was  also  less. 

Mr.  Morse  had  so  far  perfected  his  idea  in  1863  as  to  secure  a 
patent  in  that  3^ear.  As  he  was  unable  to  secure  sufficient  capital  in 
East  Bridgewater  to  meet  the  orders  for  his  drills,  in  June  of  1864, 
having  interested  capital  in  this  city,  he  moved  here  and  a  shop  thirty 
by  sixty  feet  in  area,  two  stories  high,  was  constructed  for  his  occu- 
pancy. 

The  company  of  stockholders  organized  with  Nathan  Chase  as 
president.  Mr.  Chase  had  been  a  successful  merchant,  and  was  then 
considered,  as  now,  a  shrewd  business  man.  He  worked  devotedly 
in  the  interest  of  the  company,  and  without  his  correct  management  at 
the  inception,  it  is  doubtful  whether  the  undertaking  would  have  been 
so  complete  a  success.  The  board  of  directors  elected  twent}-four 
years  ago  still  supervises  the  enterprise.     The  original  members  were 


254 


NEW    BEDFORD. 


Thomas  M.  Stetson,  Gilbert  Allen,  Frederick  S.  Allen,  Nathan 
Chase,  and  Andrew  G.  Pierce.  Mr.  Chase  continued  as  president 
and  manager  for  three  years,  and  Mr.  Pierce  occupied  the  former 
position  for  a  short  period.  In  1868  Mr.  Chase  retired  and  Edward 
S.  Taber  was  chosen  president  and  treasurer  and  added  to  the  board 
of  directors.  The  original  capital  was  $30,000.  This  was  subse- 
quently increased  to $60,000,  again  to  $90,000,  and  in  1871  to$i5o,ooo. 
In  the  latter  year  the  company  absorbed  the  Standard  Tool  Company, 
of  Newark,  N.  J.,  after  a  year  or  two  of  patent  litigation. 

The  large  success  of  the  corporation  commenced  about  the  years 
1872  and  1873.  The  artisans  of  the  country  had  been  educated  to 
the  use  of  their  tools,  and  a  large  foreign  as  well  as  home  trade  had 
been  built  up,  regular  agencies  being  maintained  in  London  and  Paris. 
This  was  due  to  the  superiority  of  the  manufacture.  All  of  the  tools 
made  here  were  manufactured  upon  a  uniform  and  absolutely  accurate 
system  of  gauges.  Every  variety  of  drill,  even  when  as  fine  as  a 
sewing  machine  needle,  was,  and  is,  made  exactly  alike,  differing  not 
the  breadth  of  the  finest  hair  in  any  of  its  dimensions. 

New  buildings  were  added.  About  the  year  1876,  the  capital 
was  made  $600,000.  The  original  wooden  shop  was  removed  and  a 
handsome  and  substantial  brick  structure  was  erected  in  its  place. 
The  buildings  of  the  corporation  now  occupy  the  larger  part  of  the 
square  bounded  by  Bedford,  Fourth,  Wing,  and  Fifth  streets.  The 
main  factory  on  Fourth  street  is  nearly  four  hundred  feet  long  and 
three  stories  high.  This  is  backed  by  a  blacksmith  shop,  hardening 
and  tempering,  annealing,  stock,  and  store  rooms.  The  area  of  the 
entire  floor  space  is  over  sixty-eight  thousand  square  feet. 

The  corporation  employs  about  two  hundred  fifty  operatives 
and  the  annual  product  aggregates  about  $400,000  in  value.  About 
two  hundred  fifty  tons  of  steel  stock  are  annually  consumed. 

The  tools  of  the  company  are  used  throughout  the  world  and  are 
now  considered  indispensable  in  all  modern  metal  working  shops. 
The  original  catalogue,  a  card  about  two  and  one-half  by  three  inches 
in  size,  modestly  mentioned  the  entire  product,  but  it  has  now  grown 
to  a  book  of  thirty  pages. 

To  the  manufacture  of  drills  has  been  added  the  making  of 
chucks,  which  hold  such  tools  as  a  drill,  and  connect  them  with  the 
spindle  of  a  lathe ;  reamers,  which  are  used  for  enlarging  drill  boles 
and  making  a  "true"  bore,  that  is,  making  its  calibre  precisely  the 


256  NEW    BEDFORD. 

same  in  every  part ;  taps,  which  are  tools  used  in  cutting  the  thread 
of  nuts;  milling  cutters,  dies,  drill  grinding  machinery,  and,  in  fact, 
all  the  tools  required  in  machine  making  establishments. 

The  superintendent  of  the  factory  is  George  R.  Stetson.  The 
operatives  employed  by  the  company  are  largely  men  who  were  born 
in  this  city  and  educated  in  the  public  schools.  They  are  well  paid 
and  •  constitute  an  exceptionally  intelligent  and  etfective  body  of 
workmen.  The  corporation  is  remarkable  for  keeping  its  men  in  its 
employ  a  long  time.  There  are  now  employed  in  the  factory  men 
who  were  hired  at  the  start,  while  a  large  proportion  of  the  workmen 
have  had  terms  of  service  exceeding  ten  years. 

Although  the  works  of  the  American  Tack  Company  are  located 
in  Fairhaven,  yet  it  is  essentially  a  New  Bedford  industry,  being 
owned  almost  entirely,  and  controlled,  by  residents  of  this  city.  The 
company  was  organized  April  3,  1867,  with  J.  A.  Beauvais,  of  this 
city,  as  treasurer,  and  Charles  E.  Brigham,  who  was  president,  Lewis 
Rice,  and  L.  L.  Tower,  of  Boston,  Oliver  P.  Brightman,  of  New  Bed- 
ford, and  George  F.  Tripp,  of  Fairhaven,  as  directors.  The  company 
succeeded  to  the  property  and  trade  of  the  American  Nail  Machine 
Company,  a  corporation  organized  in  Boston  three  years  previously. 
The  corporation  had  bought  the  patent  rights  of  an  automatic  feeding 
nail  machine,  intending  to  build  machines  for  sale,  and  also  to  operate 
them  in  making  cut  nails.  But  the  west  was  at  that  time  just  enter- 
ing largely  into  the  manufacture  of  cut  nails,  and  as  it  could  obtain 
coal  and  iron  at  cheaper  prices  than  they  could  be  procured  in  the  east. 
it  was  evident  that  the  eastern  manufacturers  could  not  successfully 
compete  in  this  industry. 

It  was  therefore  decided  to  engage  in  the  manufacture  ot  tacks 
and  small  nails,  which  would  not  require  the  outlay  for  a  rolling  mill 
and  tor  which  the  plate  could  be  obtained  as  cheaplv  in  the  east  as  in 
the  west. 

The  company  bought  the  Rodman  propert}-  at  Fairiiaven.  and 
its  machinery  was  moved  from  Boston  in  1865,  under  the  supervision 
of  Cyrus  D.  Hunt,  the  present  superintendent  of  the  works.  In  1866 
the  works  went  into  operation,  and  in  May  of  the  following  year,  the 
American  Nail  Machine  Company  sold  its  propertv  to  the  new  cor- 
poration, the  American  Tack  Company.  The  latter  company  also 
bought  the  business,  trade,  and  good  will  of  Jude  Field,  of  New^  York, 
who  had  succeeded  Arby  Field,  who  started  in  business  in  New  York 
in  1824. 


INDUSTRIAL    AND    FINANCIAL.  257 

This  purchase  made  the  American  Tack  Company  the  successor 
of  one  of  the  oldest  tack  manufacturers  in  this  countr}-,  and  secured 
to  it  a  good  export  trade,  which  had  been  built  up  by  the  Fields. 
In  1870  the  company  bought  of  M.  G.  Williams,  of  Raynham,  the 
inventor  and  original  manufacturer  of  chisel-pointed  boat  nails,  his 
machinery  and  trade,  and  in  1875  the  company  purchased  the  machin- 
ery and  business  of  M.  M.  Rhodes  &  Sons,  of  Taunton,  manufac- 
turers of  lining  and  saddle  nails  and  tufting  buttons.  Finally,  in  1880, 
the  machinery  and  business  of  the  Star  Tack  Company,  of  New  York, 
was  purchased  and  removed  to  Fairhaven. 

The  company  employs  one  hundred  tu  enty  hands,  operating  one 
hundred  forty  tack  and  nail  machines,  and  consumes  from  twelve 
hundred  to  fifteen  hundred  tons  of  metal  per  year,  making  more  than 
four  thousand  kinds  and  varieties  of  tacks  and  nails,  and  producing 
goods  each  j-ear  to  the  value  of  two  hundred  thousand  dollars. 

Within  two  3'ears,  soft  steel  has  supplanted  iron  in  ihe  manufac- 
ture of  tacks  and  nails.  This  metal,  being  stii^er  and  stouter  than 
iron,  is  destined  to  supersede  it  entirely.  To  work  it,  however, 
heavier  and  stouter  machinery  is  required,  and  the  company  has 
renewed  its  plant  in  this  respect  to  enable  it  to  profit  by  the  change 
and  supply  its  customers  with  the  best  of  goods. 

The  capital  stock  of  the  company  was  originally  $50,000,  but 
has  been  increased  to  $125,000.  The  board  of  directors  at  present 
consists  of  J.  Arthur  Beauvais,  Oliver  P.  Brightman,  Loum  Snow, 
Jr.,  and  E.  W.  Hervey,  of  New  Bedford,  and  Cyrus  D.  Hunt,  of 
Fairhaven.     J.  Arthur  Beauvais  is  the  president. 

The  business  of  Bowker  &  Tripp,  machinists  and  manufacturers 
of  steam  engines,  shafting,  and  their  appurtenances,  was  established 
in  the  brick  block  at  the  corner  of  North  and  North  Water  streets,  in 
1874,  ^^^^  ^''"^  '^t  t^^'*'^  time  being  composed  of  Edward  \i.  Bowker 
and  Robert  R.  Sherman.  In  1878,  Mr.  Sherman  retired,  and  Frank 
S.  Tripp  took  his  place.  They  are  the  patentees  and  sole  manu- 
facturers of  the  Matchless  steam  and  fire  regulator,  and  Matchless 
double  action  damper,  also  of  the  single  duigonal  and  the  oval 
diagonal  dampers  for  all  kinds  of  flues  and  chimne\s.  Over  one 
thousand  are  now  in  use.  This  firm  also  manulactures  Mitchell's 
adjustable  socket  wrench,  speed  lathes,  and  machine  screws  lor 
special  work,  and  does  repairing  {>t  all  kinds.  They  are  manulac- 
turers'  agents  for  restarting  injectors,  engine  and  speed  indicators, 


258  NEW    BEDFORD. 


Steam  and  pressure  gauges,  pop  safety  valves,  chime  whistles, 
asbestos  valves,  plug  cocks,  return  traps,  and  a  full  line  of  the  most 
approved  steam  appliances.  The  works  are  supplied  throughout 
with  the  best  machinery,  tools,  and  appliances,  propelled  by  a  thirty 
horse  power  steam  engine,  and  a  large  force  of  skilled  workmen  is 
constantly  employed.  The  members  of  the  firm,  Messrs.  Edward 
E.  Bowker  and  Frank  S.  Tripp,  are  both  practical  machinists  of 
large  experience. 

The  Acushnet  Iron  Company,  Augustus  Swift,  agent,  estab- 
lished the  foundry,  pattern  and  machine  shop  in  the  rear  of  Bowker 
&  Tripp's  building,  about  eight  years  ago.  Twelve  men  are  em- 
ployed. 

The  New  Bedford  Boiler  &  Machine  Company  was  established 
by  H.  A.  Holcomb  and  Joseph  S.  Lewis  in  1874.  "The  buildings  at 
24  Front  street  cover  an  area  of  a  quarter  of  an  acre  and  from 
tw-enty  to  fifty  men  are  employed.  The  works  are  supplied  with  a 
thirty-five  horse  power  steam  engine  and  the  firm  manufactures  boil- 
ers of  every  size  and  description,  including  stationary,  portable, 
marine,  and  locomotive  boilers,  also  machinery  of  all  kinds.  The 
firm  has  made  the  boilers  used  in  several  of  our  largest  mills  and 
makes  a  specialty  of  a  patented  steam  heating  apparatus,  which  is  in 
successful  operation  in  many  of  our  public  buildings  and  finest  private 
residences. 

Babbitt  &  Wood,  32  Commercial  street,  are  the  successors  to 
the  business  of  the  Union  Boiler  Company.  Thev  manufacture 
boilers  of  all  kinds  and  a  patent  steam  heater,  and  are  also  engaged 
in  steam  fitting  and  the  mill  supply  business.  The  firm  emploj^s 
from  ten  to  thirty  men,  and  first  engaged  in  business  in  1880,  at  27 
Front  street.  Their  business  proved  so  successful  that  the  present 
building  occupied  by  them  was  erected. 

The  New  Bedford  Iron  Foundry,  located  at  the  corner  of  Water 
and  Coffin  streets,  was  founded  by  F.  &  I.  C.  Taber  &  Co.,  who 
were  then  located  at  the  corner  of  Fourth  and  Bedford  streets.  The 
firm  of  Taber  &  Grinnell  succeeded  to  the  business  in  1847  and  in 
1859  Joseph  G.  Grinnell  became  the  sole  proprietor.  Edmund  Grin- 
nell, who  now  conducts  the  business,  assumed  control  in  1873.  The 
capacity  of  the  works  is  twenty  tons  of  castings  per  day,  and  ninety 
men  are  employed.  The  works  make  a  specialty  of  light  and  heavy 
machinery  and  building  castings.     Among  other  work  the  past  year, 


INDUSTRIAL    AND    FINANCIAL.  261 

two  columns  weighing  ten  tons  each  have  been  cast  for  the  Hemmen- 
way  building,  School  street,  Boston,  and  building  casts  for  the  Lon- 
don Manufacturing  Company,  Ludlow,  Mass.,  the  Pacific  mills, 
Lawrence,  Hargrave,  Sagamore,  Border  City,  and  King  Philip  mills, 
Fall  River,  Suffolk  county  court  house,  Boston,  Walter  Hastings 
Hall  and  Mutual  Fire  Insurance  Company's  buildings,  Davoll  Rubber 
Company,  and  Billings  Brothers'  bleachery.  Providence,  and  man}' 
other  buildings. 

The  Strange  Forged  Drill  Company  has  been  organized  for  the 
purpose  of  manufacturing  twist  drills  under  the  patents  of  John  F. 
Strange,  who  has  already  manufactured  them  to  some  extent.  The 
officers  of  the  company  are  as  follows  : 

President  —  Edwin  Dews. 

Clerk  and  treasurer  —  Henry  M.  Knowles. 

Directors  — Thomas  M.  Hart,  Moses  C.  Swift,  William  M.  Bates, 
Joseph  C.  Knowles,  John  P.  Knowles,  Jr.,  Edwin  Dews,  Henry  M. 
Knowles. 

The  firm  of  Luscomb  &  Corey,  comprising  Frederick  W.  Lus- 
comb  and  David  A.  Core}',  is  engaged  in  the  manufacture  of  special 
machinery  at  No.  13  Rodman  street  and  now  employs  seven  hands. 
Business  was  commenced  in  October,  1885.  The  firm  is  interested, 
with  George  D.  Brown  and  James  F.  Hammond,  in  the  Mechanics 
Manufacturing  Company,  which  manufactures  novelties,  prominent 
among  which  is  the  "Electric"  patent  pruner.  and  a  shawl  strap  and 
bundle  carrier. 

Giftbrd's  brass  foundry,  on  Front  street,  was  founded  in  1S60  and 
is  now  managed  by  Capt.  James  E.  Stanton.  A  two-story  building, 
fifty  by  sixty  feet  in  area,  is  occupied,  equipped  with  modern  mechani- 
cal appliances  and  machinery  operated  by  steam.  The  concern  man- 
ufactures to  order  all  kinds  of  work  in  brass  and  copper,  and  is  also 
engaged  in  the  plumbing  business.     Ten  men  are  empk)\-ed. 

Gardner  &  Southwick  (Reuben  M.  Gardner  and  Arnold  W. 
Southwick)  succeeded  to  the  business  of  Andrew  Craigie  in  1872. 
They  are  engaged  in  brass  moulding  and  founding  and  carrving  on 
the  business  of  coppersmiths  at  No.  58  Middle  street.  Five  men  are 
employed. 

The  New  Bedford  Machine  Shop  is  located  in  the  foundrv  build- 
ing at  the.  corner  of  Collin  and  South  Water  streets.  Ten  men  are 
employed  and  a  general  jobbing  business  is  done.  Jonathan  Bourne 
has  been  the  owner  of  the  shop  since  1864. 


262  NEW    BEDFORD. 


SHOE   MANUFACTURERS. 


Hathaway,  Soule  &  Harrington,  whose  large  factory  is  on  North 
Second  street,  at  the  corner  of  North  street,  are  the  largest  manu- 
facturers of  men's,  boys',  and  youths'  fine  shoes  in  New  England 
selling  direct  to  the  retail  trade.  They  manufacture  hand  sewed, 
Goodyear  welt,  and  machine  sewed  goods,  making  a  specialty  of 
Goodyear  welt,  and  claim  in  this  line  to  lead  all  competitors.  They 
have  branch  factories  at  Middleboro  and  Campello,  where  they  man- 
ufacture medium  grades  of  shoes.  Their  business  has  gradually 
increased  and  in  1888  their  sales  exceeded  eight  hundred  thousand 
dollars.  Like  manv  of  our  most  important  industries  the  business 
was  started  in  a  very  small  way.  Savory  C.  Hathaway  began  manu- 
facturing shoes  in  July,  1865,  on  Hillman  street,  with  two  employes. 
Three  months  later  Rufus  A.  Soule  became  a  partner  and  the  firm 
was  known  as  Hathaway.  &  Soule.  In  December,  1865,  they  moved 
to  the  brick  building  on  Pleasant  street,  corner  of  Mechanics  lane. 
At  first  the  firm  occupied  one  floor  only,  but  soon  leased  the  entire 
building  and  finallv  a  wooden  addition  at  the  north  was  built  and 
occupied.  Then  the  industry  outgrew  this  building  and  in  1874  ^ 
four  story  brick  building,  thirty-two  b}'  one  hundred  feet  in  area,  was 
erected  b\'  the  firm  at  the  corner  of  North  Second  and  North  streets. 
In  1876,  Herbert  A.  Harrington  was  admitted  into  partnership  and 
the  firm  name  became  Hathaway,  Soule  &  Harrington.  They  have 
from  time  to  time  added  to  their  factory  until  their  present  floor  surface 
exceeds  twenty-five  thousand  square  teet.  The  firm  now  employs  in 
the  New^  Bedford  factory  two  hundred  eightv  hands  and  it  is  one  of 
the  best  equipped  factories  in  the  countr\-.  Their  product  is  one 
hundred  seventy-five  thousand  pairs  annuallv.  The  capacitv  of  the 
Middleboro  and  Campello  factories  is  two  hundred  fifty  thousand  pairs. 

The  firm  employs  twelve  travelling  salesmen  and  has  customers 
in  nearly  every  city  and  town  in  the  United  States  and  Canada.  It 
has  salesrooms  and  offices  at  No.  280  Devonshire  street.  Boston,  and 
at  No.  128  Duane  street.  New  York  city. 

The  firm  is  very  proud  of  the  class  of  workmen  it  emplovs  and 
many  men  have  gone  out  from  this  factorv  to  accept  positictfis  of  high 
responsibility  in  shoe  manufactories  elsewhere. 


INDUSTRIAL    AND    FINANCIAL.  263 


The  firm  of  Tinkham,  Reed  &  Gifford,  boot  and  shoe  manufac- 
turers, occupies  the  three  story  brick  block  numbered  19  and  21  North 
Second  street.  Fifty  hands  are  employed  in  this  factory.  The  pres- 
ent partnership  of  Elisha  B.  Tinkham,  Gustavus  L.  Reed,  and  Jesse 
Gifford  was  formed  fourteen  years  ago.  The  members  of  the  firm 
all  followed  the  shoemaker's  trade  in  New  Bedford  and  their  practi- 
cal experience  thus  gained,  coupled  with  their  businesslike  and  pro- 
gressive management  of  their  factory,  have  given  their  manufactures 
an  enviable  name.  Ladies',  misses',  and  children's  shoes  are  made. 
The  firm  turns  out  the  McKay  sewed  shoe  and  has  lately  introduced 
the  Goodyear,  being  one  of  the  first  factories  in  New  England  to 
introduce  the  Goodyear  welt  machine  for  ladies'  shoes.  The  propri- 
etors are  thoroughly  up  to  the  times.  Their  goods  bear  the  best  of 
reputations  for  wear  and  fit  and  are  always  in  demand.  Conse- 
quently the  hands  employed  are  busy  nearly  all  the  year  round  and 
the  factory  is  never  shut  down  but  for  a  very  short  period.  The  firm 
caters  altogether  to  the  retail  trade,  dealing  directly  with  its  customers 
at  the  office  and  salesroom,  107  Duane  street.  New  York  city.  It 
ships  seventy-five  thousand  dollars'  worth  of  goods  annually. 

C.  F.  Watkins  manufactures  men's  shoes  at  92  Pleasant  street, 
where  he  commenced  business  in  1878.  He  employs  from  eight  to 
twelve  men  and  manufactures  about  sixty  pairs  a  week. 

Schuler  Bros,  manufacture  men's  shoes  for  their  own  trade  and 
the  general  market,  at  76  Purchase  street,  and  have  engaged  in  the 
business  for  six  years.  They  employ  eleven  men  and  manufacture 
between  seventy-five  and  one  hundred  fifty  pairs  a  week. 


WOOD   WORKERS. 


The  business  of  Greene  &  Wood  dates  back  to  the  town's  earlier 
history,  having  been  originated  by  Samuel  Leonard  in  the  year  1835. 
He  started  in  the  lumber  business  at  that  time  at  the  bend  of  Clark's 
cove,  near  the  present  bath  houses  of  the  street  railway  company, 
and  for  many  3'ears  all  the  timber  was  brought  up  into  the  cove  and 
rafted  ashore.  After  a  few  years  he  built  the  jireseiU  Leonard's  wharf, 
on  the  water  front,  and  the  business  was  removed  lliere.  and  there 
it  has  since  remained.     At  about  this  time,  Samuel  Leonard's  son, 


264  NKW     BEDFORD. 


Henry  T.  Leonard,  took  the  business,  forming  a  partnership  with 
Augustus  A.  Greene,  a  prominent  young  carpenter  who  had  come 
here  from  Providence  to  build  the  houses  now  occupied  by  Mrs. 
Abraham  H.  Rowland  and  Mrs.  Joseph  C.  Delano,  and  the  homestead 
of  the  late  Joseph  Grinnell.  Under  the  firm  style  of  Leonard  & 
Greene  the  business  was  continued  until  1848,  when  Henry  T.  Wood 
bought  out  Henry  T.  Leonard,  and  tiie  st3'le  of  the  firm  became 
Greene  &  Wood.  Under  this  name  it  has  remained  for  over  forty 
years,  and  in  one  location  has  carried  on  the  business  with  success. 
Mr.  Greene  retired  in  1872  and  Henry  T.  Wood  died  in  1883.  The 
present  firm  consists  of  William  G.  Wood,  who  entered  it  in  1861, 
and  George  R.  Wood  and  Edmund  Wood,  who  were  admitted  soon 
after  the  death  of  their  father,  in  1883.  The  firm  now  owns  and  occu- 
pies seven  and  one-half  acres  of  land  on  the  water  front,  including  a 
wharf,  and  the  entire  area  is  utilized  in  their  business.  They  intend 
to  have  on  hand  constantly  a  complete  assortment  of  building  lumber, 
and  this  necessitates  the  carrying  of  a  very  large  stock  and  sufficient 
room  to  sort  it  and  pile  it  conveniently  for  customers.  This  concern 
is  the  only  one  in  the  city  dealing  in  southern  pitch  pine  timber, 
plank,  and  boards.  This  the  firm  lands  on  its  wharf  direct  from  the 
south  in  vessels.  Several  large  storage  buildings  contain  the  finished 
lumber  and  hard  woods. 

With  a  progressive  spirit,  the  firm  has  extended  its  business  to 
meet  the  changing  character  of  the  trade.  Its  planing  and  wood 
working  mill  has  been  tripled  in  size  during  the  last  three  3-ears  by 
the  introduction  of  new  machiner}'  to  meet  the  growth  of  the  busi- 
ness. This  mill  was  burned  a  few  months  ago  and  almost  whollv 
destroyed,  but  a  greater  has  arisen  from  its  ashes,  and,  with  the  newest 
machinery  and  best  appliances  for  fine  and  accurate  work,  is  now 
nearly  completed.  It  occupies  an  area  of  one  hundred  twenty  bv  one 
hundred  thirty-eight  feet,  two  stories  high,  and  is  admirably  adapted 
for  handling  lumber  rapidly  and  economicalh'.  The  dry  kiln  is  a 
separate  building  forty  b\'  eighty  feet,  two  stories  high.  Here  the 
Sturtevant  hot  blast  drying  process  is  employed,  with  a  separate 
engine.  Both  these  new  buildings  are  well  protected  against  another 
fire  by  Grinnell  automatic  sprinklers  and  other  appliances  used  by 
our  cotton  mills.  In  this  mill  all  kinds  of  planing,  sawing,  and  turn- 
ing are  done,  some  very  heavy  machines  being  employed.  In 
addition  to  the  manufacture  of  mouldings  for  house  finish,  a  large 


INDUSTRIAL    AND    FINANCIAL. 


265 


business  is  done  in  the  highest  grade  of  hard  wood  picture  frame 
work.     The  firm  employs  about  forty-five  men. 

One  of  the  innovations  is  a  separate  portable  rig  for  dressing  the 
heavy  hard  pine  beams  and  plank  used  in  constructing  cotton  mills, 
and  for  two  successive  years  the  firm  has  had  this  in  operation  in 
other  cities.  It  is  the  custom  to  set  it  up  close  to  the  rising  walls  of  the 
new  cotton  mill  and  build  a  temporary  building  over  it. 

Last  year  the  firm  decided  to  engage  in  a  wholly  new  industry. 
It  bought  out  the  New  Bedford  Spool  and  Bobbin  Company  and 
removed  the  plant  to  its  own  mill.  This  became  the  nucleus  of  an 
enterprise  which  will  probably  be  an  extensive  one.  The  original 
plant  has  been  already  quadrupled  in  its  scope  and  capacity.  And, 
although  seriously  retarded  by  the  fire,  it  is  now  well  under  way  filling 
orders,  not  only  for  New  Bedford  but  for  other  cities.  The  firm  is  now- 
fitted  to  manufacture  all  kinds  of  spools  and  bobbins,  etc.,  used  in 
cotton  and  woolen  mills,  cordage  works,  and  similar  factories. 

The  two  upper  stories  of  the  large  three  story  stone  building, 
corner  of  Coflin  and  South  Water  streets,  are  occupied  by  Charles 

F.  Borden,  pattern  and  model 
maker,  general  wood  worker,  and 
manufacturer  of  water  wheels. 
The  business  was  established 
as  early  as  1863,  by  Nathan  S. 
Ellis  and  Matthias  Hathaway, 
in  a  room  thirty  feet  square,  in 
the  building  now  occupied  by  Mr. 
Borden.  The  firm  manufactured 
water  wheels  exclusively.  In 
1870  Calvin  Bonney  took  the 
place  of  Mr.  IIallia\\a\-  in  the 
firm,  and,  on  the  death  ot'  Mr. 
Bonney,  about  four  years  after- 
wards. Nelson  Collins  became 
associated  with  Mr.  Ellis.  Next, 
E.  R.  Bowie  bought  Mr.  Ellis' 
interest  and  in  turn  sold  out  to 
Mr.  Borden,  and  in  1880  the  firm  of  Collins  &  Borden  was  organized. 
In  1884  Mr.  Borden  became  sole   proprietor.     Two  fioors.  one  hun- 


266 


NEW    BEDFORD. 


otice. 


dred  by  fifty  feet  in  area,  and  an  ell,  thirty  by  thirty  feet  in  area, 
are  occupied,  and  fourteen  men  are  employed. 

The  most  skillful  mechanics  are  hired  and  samples  of  the  wood 
finishing  turned  out  by  the  tirm 
may  be  seen  in  the  upper  drug 
store  of  C.  H.  Church,  in  the 
rooms  of  the  Safe  Deposit  and 
Trust  Company,  and  in  the 
reading  room  of  the  Free  Pub- 
lic Library.  Wooden  mantels 
in  hard  and  soft  wood  are 
manufactured  to  order,  and  carving,  planing,  jig  sawing,  and  turning 
are  also  done.  A  specialty  is  made  of  the  manufacture  of  Tremont 
turbine  water  wheels,  which  are  simple  in  construction  and  are  built 
upon  true  hydraulic  principles,  utilizing  all  the  water,  thus  rendering 
them  particularly  desirable  for  saw  mills,  box  factories,  grist  mills, 
or  any  situation  where  the  stream  is  small.     Gearing,  shafting,  and 

pulleys    are    also    furnished    at    short 
Mr.      Borden     has     recently 
to  his  enterprise  stair  building 
in    all    its    branches. 
Possibly  most  people 
do  not  know  that  stair 
building    has    of  late 
years   become    a   dis- 
tinct art,  enlisting  the 
brains   and    hands    of 
the    most   skilled    de- 
signers and  workmen. 
Some  re  cent  stair 
cases   are  marvels  of 
beauty  and  ingenuity, 
forming  notable  feat- 
ures  of  the  buildings 
in  which  they  are 
placed.     Mr.   Borden 
builds  them  in  every  pattern,  of  many  varieties  of  wood,  and  at  every 
possible  grade  of  cost,  from  the  designs  of  others  or  from  designs 
of  his  own.      He  also  manufactures  and   keeps  in  stock  fancy  and 


INDUSTRIAL    AND    FINANCIAL.  267 


plain  newels,  square  and  turned,  and  balusters  and  rails.  Or,  he  will 
make  them  to  order  of  special  patterns.  Furniture  is  also  made 
to  order,  and  cabinets,  brackets,  easels,  and  picture  frames  are 
manufactured  and  kept  in  stock  to  some  extent.  Mantels,  of  which 
Mr.  Borden  makes  a  specialty,  and  of  which  he  has  designed  several 
handsome  patterns,  are  kept  in  stock. 

Frederick  A.  Sowle,  who  is  now  the  largest  manufacturer  of 
house  finishings  in  this  section,  commenced  business  in  a  small 
way  in  1873,  at  the  southwest  corner  of  William  and  Bethel  streets. 
At  this  time  he  made  refrigerators  and  sold  doors  and  windows. 
Soon  afterwards  he  moved  to  more  ample  quarters  on  Middle 
street,  where  he  commenced  the  manufacture  of  window  frames  and 
house  finishings,  having  the  machine  work  done  at  the  different 
mills.  iVfter  a  year,  however,  his  business  had  increased  to  such  an 
extent  that  new  quarters  were  again  necessary,  and  he  bought  the 
old  barn  on  the  Gammons  property  on  Elm  street,  raised  it  up  and 
fitted  a  factory  with  steam  power  and  the  most  improved  machinery. 
Two  years  later,  to  keep  pace  with  a  thriving  and  still  increasing 
business,  he  built  a  large  addition,  carrying  the  factory  out  to  the 
street.  At  this  time  about  twenty  men  were  employed.  In  1884  the 
mill  was  entire!}-  destroyed  b}'  fire.  As  Mr.  Sowle  watched  the 
flames,  he  remarked,  "Well,  the  old  man  isn't  dead  yet,"  and  he 
verified  the  statement  made  on  that  occasion.  A  lour  story  brick 
structure,  fifty  by  one  hundred  feet  in  area,  and  supplied  with  ample 
steam  power,  has  replaced  the  wooden  mill,  and  thirty  men  are  now 
employed.  Mr.  Sowle  now  manufactures  and  deals  in  doors,  blinds, 
sashes,  window  and  door  frames,  mouldings,  brackets,  stair  rails, 
newel  posts,  and  balusters,  and  gives  especial  attention  to  get- 
ting out  inside  and  outside  house  finish.  Turning  and  scroll 
sawing  is  done  and  western  lumber  and  hard  woods  are  sold.  Mr. 
Sowle  is  the  largest  dealer  in  window  and  plate  glass  in  this  part  of 
the  state  and  he  recently  furnished  the  plate  glass  for  the  Wing  build- 
ing, the  largest  plates  in  the  city,  which  were  especially  imported  for 
Mr.  Sowle.  Mr.  Sowle  ships  goods  as  far  as  Florida,  \"irginia,  and 
New  York,  and  his  market  comprises  this  city,  the  \'ineyard.  Cape, 
and  surrounding  towns.  For  three  years,  Mr.  Sowle's  two  sons 
were  engaged  with  him  and  he  then  conducted  the  hardware  and 
lumber  business  in  addition  to  his  factory.  The  former  business  he 
has   sold  to   Pierce  &  Sowle,  the  latter  Frederick   L.  Sowle,  beinfr 


268  NEW    BEDFORD. 


Mr.  Sowle's  eldest  son,  and  Nathaniel  P.  Sowle  now  conducts  the 
lumber  business  on  City  wharf. 

William  H.  Washburn  manufactures  window  and  door  frames, 
cutters,  rakes,  mouldings,  house  trimming  and  finishing,  balus- 
ters, brackets,  newels,  and  shutters,  and  gives  particular  attention  to 
planing,  turning,  scroll  and  circular  sawing,  pattern  making,  and  all 
kinds  of  jobbing.  He  also  deals  extensively  in  pine  and  hard  wood 
lumber.  The  business  was  established  in  1875  by  Messrs.  Perry  & 
Washburn,  and  the  present  proprietor  assumed  the  sole  control  in 
January,  1883.  The  factory  is  at  Nos.  213,  215,  and  217  North 
Water  street,  is  two  stories  high  and  forty  by  one  hundred  fifty 
feet  in  area.  It  is  equipped  with  special  wood  working  machinery 
and  operated  by  a  seventy-five  horse  power  engine.  Twenty-one 
men  are  regularly  employed. 

William  A.  Tillinghast  succeeded  the  firm  of  Tillinghast  & 
Terry  in  the  general  lumber  and  planing  business,  about  a  year  ago. 
The  mill  is  located  at  No.  172  North  Water  street  and  there  is  a 
wharf  connected  with  the  property.  In  addition  to  the  lumber  yard 
here,  Mr.  Tillinghast  also  maintains  a  yard  on  Fish  island. 

David  J.  Russell  carries  on  the  business  of  cabinet  making  at 
No.  II  Rodman  street.  His  best  work  is  remarkable  for  fine  work- 
manship and  for  the  beauty  of  the  wood  carving. 

Blinds  and  window  and  door  frames  are  also  manufactured  to 
some  extent,  and  particular  attention  is  given  to  planing,  scroll  saw- 
ing, and  jobbing,  by  Mosher  &  Brownell,  A.  W.  Alien  &  Son,  Stur- 
tevant  &  Sherman,  and  Brightman  &  Washburn. 


CARRIAGE   MANUFACTURERS. 


A  prominent  industry  is  the  manufacture  of  fine  carriages,  and 
although  a  number  of  concerns  are  engaged  in  the  business,  onlv  the 
highest  grade  work  is  done. 

The  largest  factor}-  is  that  of  George  L.  Brownell,  on  Cannon 
street.  A  specialty  is  made  here  of  the  manufacture  of  fine  hearses, 
coaches,  and  undertakers'  wagons,  but  light  carriages  of  every  kind 
are  also  made  at  the  factory. 

At  the  age  of  seventeen,  Mr.  Brownell,  who  was  a  Westport  boy, 


o 

m 
O 

CD 


i  ,„;f^"' 


270  NEW     BEDFORD. 


was  apprenticed  to  Ayres  R.  Marsh,  in  New  Bedford,  to  learn  the 
trade  of  carriage  making.  After  four  years  Mr.  Brownell  bought  the 
business  of  his  employer,  and  in  1846  an  increasing  business  led  him 
to  make  extensive  additions  to  his  shop.  In  1853  he  built  a  new  shop 
on  Third  street.  At  about  this  time  he  commenced  the  manufacture 
of  hearses,  and  in  1863  further  accommodations  were  required  and  he 
bought  the  stone  building  at  the  corner  of  Acushnet  avenue  and  Can- 
non streets,  formerly  occupied  by  Samuel  Leonard  &  Sons.  This 
building  was  refitted  and  occupied  by  him  on  the  12th  of  November. 
A  public  dedication  was  arranged  by  Mr.  Brownell's  friends  and  about 
fifteen  hundred  people  were  present. 

This  building  was  a  two  and  a  half  story  structure  of  stone,  one 
hundred  by  sixt}'  feet  in  area.  A  growing  business  has  rendered 
additional  buildings  necessary.  First  an  addition  was  built  extend- 
ing from  the  main  structure  a  distance  of  one  hundred  thirty  feet  on 
Cannon  street.  It  is  two  stories  high  and  thirty  feet  wide.  Then 
a  second  wing  was  built  and  two  large  buildings  were  erected  in  the 
yard,  the  entire  buildings  covering  an  area  of  seventeen  thousand  one 
hundred  sixty  feet,  and  finally  a  warehouse  was  built  on  Acushnet 
avenue,  seventy-five  by  forty  feet  in  area  and  three  stories  high.  The 
factory  is  now  one  of  the  largest  in  the  country  and  gives  employment 
to  between  fifty  and  one  hundred  men.  Giles  G.  Barker  is  the  super- 
intendent of  the  factor}^ 

The  firm  of  Brownell,  Ashley  &  Co.  comprises  J.  Augustus 
Brownell  and  Joshua  B.  Ashley,  and  they  manufacture  fine  grades  of 
carriages  of  all  varieties,  excepting  coaches.  The  business  was 
started  nearly  sevent}'  years  ago  by  Joseph  Brownell,  the  father  of  J. 
Augustus  Brownell,  in  a  building  at  the  northeast  corner  of  Fourth 
and  Spring  streets.  About  sixty  years  ago  he  moved  his  business  to 
the  two  story  stone  building  forty  by  one  hundred  feet  in  area,  on  the 
southeast  corner  of  the  same  street,  and  about  thirty-eight  years  ago 
the  present  proprietors  were  admitted  to  the  firm.  In  1854  '^  reposi- 
tory one  hundred  by  fifty  feet  in  area,  and  four  stories  high,  was  built 
on  Fourth  street,  next  south  of  the  building  on  the  corner.  This 
building  was  occupied  by  H.  G.  O.  Cole  as  a  carriage  manufactory 
for  a  few  years,  when  Brownell,  Ashley  &  Co.  took  possession,  Mr. 
Cole  moving  to  the  factory  on  Acushnet  avenue,  then  Third  street,  in 
the  building  vacated  b}^  George  L.  Brownell.  The  number  of  men 
employed  is  twenty-seven. 


If^t         ^sSJtS^7^'^^W^^'^•^i£m.".T..^^S:X^\    HiBS'.vK.'i.^l 


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INDUSTRIAL    AND    FINANCIAL.  273 

At  the  carriage  manufactory  of  Clarence  Lowell  twenty-four 
men  are  employed,  and  fine  light  carriages  are  made.  Mr.  Lowell 
commenced  manufacturing  carriages  on  Middle  street  in  1874  and  in 
1880  moved  into  the  factory  formerly  occupied  by  H.  G.  O.  Cole, 
and  prev'ious  to  him  by  George  L.  Brownell,  on  Acushnet  avenue, 
which  he  now  occupies.  This  building  covers  an  area  nearly  ninety- 
six  by  ninety-five  feet  and  in  a  few  months  Mr.  Lowell  proposes  to 
tear  down  the  present  factory  and  erect  on  the  site  a  four  story  brick 
building  with  basement  which  he  will  fit  as  a  model  carriage  manu- 
factory. Between  thirty  and  forty  men  will  be  employed  in  the  new 
factory. 

The  carriage  making  business  of  James  R.  Forbes  &  Co.  was 
started  in  the  spring  of  1863,  when  Henry  H.  Forbes  and  Henry  C. 
Sears  bought  the  Elm  street  Methodist  church  at  the  corner  of  Elm 
street  and  Acushnet  avenue,  where  the  present  firm  is  located,  and 
commenced  the  manufacture  of  carriages.  Mr.  Forbes  bought  out 
Mr.  Sears'  share  in  the  business  after  seven  or  eight  years,  and  con- 
ducted it  alone  until  1874,  when  he  was  succeeded  by  Charles  H. 
Forbes,  who  carried  on  the  business  until  1879,  ^^'lit-'u  it  passed  into 
the  hands  of  James  R.  Forbes  &  Co.  The  firm  builds  every 
description  of  carriage,  from  a  sulky  to  a  coupe,  and  twenty  men  are 
employed.     The  patronage  is  almost  entirely  local. 

THE  MANUFACTURE   OF   FERTILIZERS. 


The  works  of  the  Clark's  Cove  Guano  Company  are  advanta- 
geously and  picturesquely  situated  on  the  west  side  ol  Clark's  cove, 
and  the  property  is  extensive  and  valuable. 

The  works  are  easily  accessible.  Vessels  drawing  sixteen  feet  of 
water  can  be  handled  at  the  docks  and  the  dock  room  is  ample  to 
load  or  discharge  two  large  vessels  and  several  small  vessels  at  the 
same  time.  The  machinery  includes  three  tubular  boilers  of  about 
ninety  horse  power  each,  a  Brown  engine  of  one  hundred  seventy- 
five  horse  power,  two  large  crushers  for  phosphate  rock,  mixers,  and 
three  hoisting  engines.  The  works  and  docks  are  ligiited  by  elec- 
tricity, furnished  with  a  twenty  light  Ball  machine,  run  by  a  Porter 
engine  of  twenty  horse  power.     The  buildings  of  the  factory,  outside 


I  ill'llllll'l  '''I'l'  ^'lll  If''  I 

uiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii,  iiiiiiiiiiiiiililililiiliiiiiiii^ 


INDUSTRIAL    AND    FINANCIAL.  275 

of  the  houses,  cover  about  one  hundred  thousand  square  feet.  The 
sales  of  guano  for  the  past  three  years  have  averaged  over  twenty- 
five  thousand  tons. 

The  Bay  State  fertilizer,  which  leads  all  others  used  in  this  sec- 
tion, is  a  combination  of  phosphate  rock,  large  quantities  of  animal 
bone  and  fish  treated  with  acid,  muriate  and  sulphate  of  potash, 
nitrate  of  soda,  and  kainit.  These  articles  are  seen  piled  in  huge 
heaps  upon  the  floors  of  the  extensive  storehouses.  There  are  two 
varieties  of  the  phosphate  rock,  one  of  which  is  known  as  "marsh 
rock."  It  is  light  in  color  and  is  dredged  from  the  beds  of  South 
Carolina  rivers.  The  other  variety  is  drab  in  color  and  is  found  just 
under  the  soil  on  the  river  banks. 

The  entire  manufacture  takes  place  in  a  four  story  building,  in 
which  all  the  machinery  is  located.  On  the  first  floor  the  rock  is 
crushed,  and  there  are  five  runs  of  mill  stones  which  grind  it  to  a 
powder.  Forty  or  fifty  tons  of  rock  can  be  ground  here  in  a  day  and 
the  mill  stones  will  stand  but  about  four  months  of  constant  use. 
This  rock  is  then  carried  in  its  pulverized  condition  to  the  fourth 
story  by  an  elevator,  constructed  on  the  principle  of  a  chain  bucket 
pump.  Here  the  rock  and  fish  are  placed  in  the  mixers.  The  fish 
have  previously  been  boiled  and  pressed  at  the  porgie  factories,  and 
the  article  which  is  used  in  the  pulverizer  is  ground  to  a  powder. 
The  composition  is  treated  with  sulphuric  acid  and  worked  over  in 
tanks  by  plows.  Sometimes  dried  meat  and  blood  from  the  western 
abattoirs  are  used  instead  of  fish.  From  here,  the  mixture  passes  to 
the  floor  belows  where  it  is  placed  in  mixers  with  the  other  articles 
mentioned.  It  is  then  screened  and  the  solid  portion  passes  into  a 
disintegrator  where  it  is  ground  over  and  again  passed  through  the 
mixing  machine.  Some  of  the  ingredients  are  subjected  to  a  dr3ing 
process  before  mixing,  and  for  tliis  purpcxse  an  apartnK-nl  lias  been 
constructed  by  whicli  air  is  heated  and  dried,  then  cooled  by  passing 
through  condensers,  and,  finally,  when  the  temperature  is  reduced  to 
seventy  or  eighty  degrees,  they  are  forced  through  the  drying  chamber 
by  rapidly  revolving  fans.  Finally,  after  leaving  the  mixer,  the  fertil- 
izer passes  to  the  floor  below,  the  second,  where  it  is  piled  in  a  huge 
heap  and  a  chemical  process  ensues.  While  this  is  in  progress  the 
interior  of  the  heap  becomes  very  hot.  The  fertili/iT  then  passes  to 
the  ground  floor,  where  it  cools,  when  it  is  read}'  for  shipment. 

As  has  been  stated,  this  is  the  method  of   manufacturing    the 


276 


NEW     BEDFORD. 


grade  most  popular  in  this  vicinity.  The  fertilizer  manufactured  for 
the  cotton  growing  states  is  made  after  a  different  formula.  The 
elements  are  not  required  in  so  concentrated  a  form,  and  tartar  pum- 
ice, the  residuum  in  the  manufacture  of  cream  of  tartar,  is  employed 
as  an  absorbent.  Bone  black,  which  is  ground  bone  treated  with 
acid,  and  other  special  fertilizers  are  also  made.  The  fertilizer 
which  goes  a  long  distance  is  usually  transported  in  bulk,  but  it  is 
bagged  on  the  premises  for  the  local  market. 

When  the  works  were  started  the  sulphuric  acid  used  in  the  man- 
ufacture was  brought  to  the  works  from  New  York  in  schooners  pro- 
vided with  lead-lined  iron  tanks.  The  rapid  growth  of  the  business 
compelled  the  company,  in  1883,  to  establish  an  acid  works  in  con- 
nection with  the  plant  and  two  years  later  the  capacity  of  the  acid 
works  was  increased  by  large  additions,  so  that  now  between  ninety 
and  one  hundred  tons  of  sixty-six  acid  can  be  manufactured  weekly. 
The  acid  chambers  are  lined  with  sheet  lead,  while  lead  pans  cover 
the  floor  area.  Iron  pyrites  is  burned  in  ovens  and  nitrate  of  soda  is 
decomposed  with  sulphuric  acid  in  a  vat.  The  sulphurous  fumes  and 
the  nitrous  gas  meet  in  a  large  pipe  and  pass  into  a  tank  in  the 
towers  in  the  acid  chamber.  This  tank  is  filled  with  quartz  and 
percolating  through  the  silica  is  sulphuric  acid.  The  quartz  divides 
the  gases,  which  absorb  from  the  sulphuric  acid  flowing  through  it, 
and  are  cooled  by  it.  The  sulphuric  acid  gas  is  then  conducted 
through  pipes  which  connect  the  four  condensing  rooms.  The  liquid 
acid  forms  on  the  sides  and  flows  into  the  pans,  from  which  it  is 
drawn. 

The  wharf  extends  about  two  hundred  fifty  feet  into  the  cove 
and  there  are  brows  running  northerly  and  southerly,  affording  berths 
for  a  number  of  vessels  at  a  time.  There  are  tramways  twenty-eight 
feet  high,  provided  with  cars  into  which  cargoes  are  unloaded  and 
thence  carried  to  the  various  storage  buildings.  There  are  scales  at 
convenient  points  and  shutes  extend  from  the  tramway  and  lead  into 
the  building.     Several  hoisting  engines  are  used  in  unloading  vessels. 

The  help  is  comfortably  quartered  in  a  three  story  boarding  house 
and  six  cottages  located  on  the  premises. 

The  corporation  was  chartered  in  1881,  with  a  capital  stock  of 
$100,000,  and  its  product  was  first  placed  on  the  market  in  1882. 
The  paid  up  capital  is  now  $800,000,  the  orignal  sum  having  been 
augmented  on  several  occasions  as  the  business  has  developed. 


INDUSTRIAL    AND    FINANCIAL.  277 


The  present  officers  of  the  company  are  as  follows  : 

President  —  Charles  W.  Plummer. 

Manager  and  treasurer  —  Vinal  F.  Hatch. 

Directors  — Edward  D.  Mandell,  Charles  W.  Clifford,  William 
W.  Crapo,  William  J.  Rotch,  Samuel  Ivers,  Charles  W.  Plummer, 
Edmund  Grinnell. 

Superintendent  —  Browning  Swift. 

Clerk  of  corporation  —  Samuel  H.  Cook. 

Chemist  — C.  C.  Reed. 

General  travelling  agent  —  Silas  P.  Richmond. 

The  company  has  offices  in  New  York,  Baltimore,  Atlanta,  and 
Portland. 

The  raw  material  used  is  analyzed  in  a  laboratory  on  the  prem- 
ises, as  is  the  product  of  the  factory.  A  proof  of  the  fertilizing  per- 
centages is  thus  constantly  obtained  before  the  shipment  of  any 
portion  compounded  is  authorized.  The  value  of  a  fertilizer  de- 
pends on  three  elements, —  the  ammonia,  the  phosphoric  acid,  and 
the  phosphate  which  it  contains.  In  these  respects  analysis  proves 
the  fertilizers  made  here  equal  to  any  in  the  market. 

The  company  also  carries  on  factories  at  Atlanta,  Americus, 
and  Social  Circle,  all  in  the  state  of  Georgia.  These  each  have 
a  capacity  for  making  ten  thousand  tons  of  fertilizer  yearly.  In 
connection  with  the  factories  at  Americus  and  Social  Circle  are 
cotton  seed  oil  mills,  using  five  thousand  tons  each  of  cotton  seed 
annually. 


THE   INSURANCE   BUSINESS. 

Joseph  S.  Tillinghast  was  the  pioneer  insurance  agent  in  New 
Bedford,  and  the  agency  which  he  founded  is  still  vigorous  and  enter- 
prisino-.  Mr.  Tillinghast  began  business  as  an  insurance  agent  on 
the  loth  of  October,  1835,  ^^  an  office  on  Union  street,  a  short  distance 
east  of  Second.  Here,  and  in  the  stone  building  on  North  Water 
street  recendy  occupied  by  the  Peirce  &  Bushnell  Manufacturing 
Company,  he  remained  until  about  twenty-five  years  ago,  when  he 
removed  to  the  building  at  the  southeast  corner  of  Water  and  Hamil- 
ton streets,  where  his  successors,  Messrs.  Tillinghast  &  Alden,  yet 
remain.     Mr.  Tillinghast  died  on  the  26th  of  January,  1876.      His 


278  NEW    BEDFORD. 


son,  Joseph  Tillinghast,  was  immediately  appointed  agent  of  the 
companies  represented  by  the  agency,  and  on  the  ist  of  the  following 
February  formed  a  partnership  with  George  N.  Alden,  who  had  been 
a  clerk  in  the  office  since  1865.  The  agency  now,  as  it  always  has, 
represents  fire  companies  exclusively.  At  the  time  of  its  founder's 
death,  he  represented  twenty-six  leading  companies.  During  his 
long  career  as  an  agent  he  had  received  in  premiums  one  million 
dollars  and  had  paid  out  in  losses  seven  hundred  thirteen  thousand 
dollars.  He  had  seen  the  failure  or  retirement  from  business  of  thirty- 
eight  companies,  for  which  he  had  received  premiums  of  four  hundred 
fifty  thousand  dollars  and  paid  losses  of  three  hundred  twenty-five 
thousand  dollars.  The  present  firm  of  Tillinghast  &  x\lden  now 
represents  twenty-six  companies,  all  of  which  are  among  the  foremost 
fire  insurance  companies  of  the  world. 

The  Bristol  County  Mutual  Fire  Insurance  Company  has  its 
headquarters  in  the  office  of  Messrs.  Tillinghast  &  Alden,  Mr.  Alden 
being  its  secretary.  It  was  organized  in  Taunton,  being  chartered 
February  29,  1829,  and  was  removed  to  this  city  September  14,  1839, 
Joseph  S.  Tillinghast  then  being  appointed  its  secretary.  At  his 
death  George  N.  Alden  was  chosen  secretary.  The  company  is 
strictly  a  mutual  company,  insuring  only  the  best  class  of  risks,  and 
has  a  highly  honorable  and  successful  career.  On  the  31st  of  Decem- 
ber, 1887,  the  date  of  the  last  annual  report  available,  it  had  in  force 
twenty-one  hundred  ninet3'-two  policies,  on  property  insured  at 
$3,777,056.  The  losses  for  the  preceding  year  amounted  to  only 
$1752.79.     No  assessment  has  been  called  since  January,  1879. 

The  present  officers  are  : 

President — Jonathan  Bourne. 

Directors — Jonathan  Bourne,  Joseph  W.  Cornell,  Oliver  P. 
Brightm.an,  George  F.  Kingman,  Isaac  H.  Coe,  James  Tavlor, 
Thomas  H.  Knowles. 

Secretary  and  treasurer  —  George  N.  Alden. 

Samuel  H.  Cook,  who  has  a  particularh'  handsome  office  in  the 
building  of  the  National  Bank  of  Commerce,  has  grown  up  in  the 
marine  insurance  business.  He  entered  the  office  of  the  Mutual 
Marine  Insurance  Company,  in  January,  1859,  ^^  ^  clerk.  On  the 
expiration  of  that  company's  charter  in  1861,  it  retired  from  business, 
and  in  1863,  the  Ocean  Mutual  Insurance  Company  was  organized  to 
succeed  it.     Mr.   Cook  was  appointed  secretary  of  the  Ocean  com- 


INDUSTRIAIv    AND    FINANCIAL.  279 

pany  soon  after  its  organization,  to  succeed  William  H.  Taylor,  who 
was  made  its  president  and  filled  the  position  until  its  affairs  were 
closed.  The  great  disaster  to  the  whaleships  of  the  Arctic  fleet  in 
the  fall  of  1871  crippled  all  the  New  Bedford  companies,  and  as  a 
result  the  Ocean  Mutual,  the  Union  Mutual,  the  Pacific  Mutual,  and 
the  Commercial  Mutual  were  all  obliged  to  leave  the  field.  Beside 
winding  up  the  affairs  of  his  own  company,  Mr.  Cook  performed  a 
like  service  for  the  Commercial  compan}'.  When  the  disaster  came 
to  the  local  marine  insurance  companies,  Mr.  Cook  had  already  made 
arrangements  with  insurers  in  other  cities  and  was  prepared  to  meet 
the  wants  of  the  whaling  interest.  He  at  once  established  a  marine 
insurance  agency,  to  which,  at  the  request  of  many  of  his  patrons, 
he  soon  added  fire  and  life  insurance,  and  has  since  carried  on  an 
extensive  business  in  all  three  branches.  Mr.  Cook  represents  fifteen 
leading  American  and  foreign  companies.  He  acts  also  as  an  adjuster 
of  insurance,  and  is  frequently  called  upon  to  render  service  in  the 
capacity  of  an  insurance  expert. 

The  firm  of  Lawrence  Grinnell  &  Co.,  located  at  60  North 
Water  street,  was  established  many  years  ago  b}^  the  senior  partner. 
Richard  W.  Grinnell  was  a  member  of  the  firm  for  a  time,  but  he 
retired  on  the  first  of  April,  1882,  when  Joshua  C  Hitch  succeeded 
him.  Messrs.  Grinnell  and  Hitch  now  conduct  the  business.  This 
firm  represents  eighteen  companies,  embracing  fire,  marine,  life, 
plate  glass,  and  steam  boiler  insurance,  and  among  those  on  its  list 
are  the  largest  fire  insurance  company  and  the  largest  life  insurance 
company  in  the  world.  Especial  attention  is  given  to  marine  insur- 
ance, in  the  placing  of  which  both  members  of  the  firm  have  had 
long  experience. 

Hiram  Van  Campen  established  his  agency  in  1852,  and  it  is 
now  located  at  No.  15  North  Water  street.  He  represents  eighteen 
companies,  most  of  them  being  fire  companies,  but  transacts  some 
life  and  accident  business. 

Thomas  M.  James  established  his  fire  insurance  agency  in  1865. 
He  is  located  at  No.  40  North  Water  street,  and  represents  live  com- 
panies. 

Ivory  S.  Cornish  has  a  fire  and  life  insurance  business  at  the 
corner  of  William  street  and  Second  street,  and  Jonathan  W.  ICllis 
is  a  fire  insurance  agent. 


2So  NEW    BEDFORD. 


PRIVATE   BANKING   HOUSE. 


The  banking  house  of  Sanford  &  Kelley  is  located  at  47  North 
Water  street.  Their  rooms  have  about  twenty-five  hundred  square  feet 
of  floor  surface  and  are  conveniently  arranged  and  neatly  furnished. 
The  partners  are  Gardner  T.  Santbrd  and  Charles  S.  Kelley.  They 
do  an  investment  business,  are  members  of  the  Boston  Stock  Ex- 
change, and  are  stock  auctioneers.  They  have  a  private  telegraph 
wire  connecting  their  office  with  that  of  their  correspondents  in  Bos- 
ton, by  which  they  have  telegraphic  communication  with  New  York, 
Philadelphia, ^Chicago,  and  Providence.  They  were  the  first  in  this 
city  to  lease  a  private  wire.  The  business  was  established  in  1848  by 
the  late  Edward  L.  Baker.  He  sold  out  to  Samuel  P.  Burt,  his  con- 
fidendal  clerk,  in  1865.  In  1875  Mr.  Burt  took  as  partners  Mr. 
Sanford  and  Mr.  Kelley,  under  the  firm  name  of  S.  P.  Burt  &  Co., 
Mr.  Burt  being  located  in  Milwaukee,  Wis.  On  the  death  of  Mr. 
Burt,  in  the  west  in  1884,  the  surviving  partners  formed  the  present 
firm. 

THE   COAL    BUSINESS. 


The  coal  pockets  of  the  Philadelphia  &  Reading  Coal  &  Iron 
Company  loom  up  conspicuously  when  the  city  is  approached  from 
the  water  front.  The  wharf  and  pockets  are  located  at  the  toot  of 
Walnut  street  and  the  plant  was  established  in  1874-75.  After  being 
leased  to  several  parties,  possession  and  operation  were  resumed  b}' 
the  owners  and  builders  in  1882  as  a  forwarding  and  distributing  depot 
for  the  company's  coals  for  the  local  mills  and  to  inland  dealers  and 
manufacturers.  The  latter  traffic  is  carried  on  through  cars  of  the 
Old  Colony  Railroad  Company  to  all  points  on  its  main  branches  and 
connections. 

The  main  pocket  is  two  hundred  ten  feet  long  and  forty-five  feet 
high,  with  a  capacity  of  seventy-two  hundred  tons.  Vessels  of  the 
heaviest  draft  that  can  come  into  the  harbor  discharge  at  each  side, 
by  means  of  derricks,  shears,  and  engines. 

The  company's  steamers,  of  seventeen  hundred  thirty  tons,  work 


INDUSTRIAL    AND    FINANCIAL.  283 


four  hatches  at  once,  and  discharge,  ordinarily,  in  ten  hours,  although 
the  work  has  been  accomplished  in  seven  and  three-quarters  hours. 

At  the  head  of  the  north  side  of  the  dock  is  a  shipping  pocket 
one  hundred  feet  long,  where  vessels  of  the  same  tonnage  as  the 
above  can  discharge  either  into  cars,  the  pocket,  or  large  storage 
bins. 

There  are  three  of  these  bins,  of  fifty-three  hundred,  forty-two 
hundred,  and  seventy-five  hundred  tons,  respectively,  which  are 
intended  to  hold  the  winter  supply,  when  the  weather  renders  uncer- 
tain the  arrival  of  cargoes  from  the  company's  shipping  points  at 
Port  Richmond,  on  the  Delaware,  and  Point  Liberty,  New  York 
harbor. 

The  total  storage  capacity  is  twenty-six  thousand  tons. 

When  unloading  one  of  the  company's  large  steamers,  eighty- 
six  people  are  engaged  on  the  premises. 

Much  of  the  coal  is  brought  here  in  barges,  towed  by  powerful 
tugs,  and  in  the  largest  schooners.  The  arrivals  in  1887  were  as  fol- 
lows ; 

Sailing  vessels, 129 

Biu-f^es, 45 

Steamers, 24 

Total  number  of  vessels, 198 

These  vessels  brought  one  hundred  seventy  thousand  three 
hundred  forty-nine  tons  of  coal,  which  were  shipped  away  on 
the  cars. 

Charles  W.  Agard  is  the  local  superintendent,  and  the  business 
has  been  developed  to  a  large  extent  under  his  administration. 

The  large  business  of  Hart  &  Akin  was  established  by  John 
H.  Perry  about  the  year  1850.  He  started  the  coal  trade  on  the 
wharf  at  the  foot  of  Walnut  street  and  also  engaged  in  grinding 
paint.  Soon  afterward,  George  Wilson  was  admitted  into  partnership 
and  the  firm  name  then  became  John  H.  Perry  &  Co.  During  the 
war,  the  wharf  at  present  occupied  was  bought  of  F.  and  G.  R. 
Taber,  and  in  1866,  Samuel  C.  Hart  purchased  Mr.  Wilson's  interest. 
In  1874,  ^^'"-  Pt;'"''}'  retired  and  Francis  T.  Akin  became  llu'  junior 
partner  in  the  firm  of  Hart  &  Akin.  At  about  this  time  a  wood  yard 
was  added  to  the  business.  The  company  took  possession  at  this 
time  of  the  south  wharf,  which  is  live  hundred  fifty  feet  long  and  one 


284 


NEW    BEDFORD. 


hundred  twenty  feet  wide.  There  are  two  lines  of  sheds  upon  it, 
each  two  hundred  forty  feet  long,  forty  feet  deep,  and  twenty  feet 
high.  A  stationary  boiler  of  twenty  horse  power,  with  two  engines, 
is  employed  in  unloading,  and  with  two  gangs  and  the  facilities  at 
the  command  of  the  firm  it  is  able  to  discharge  seven  hundred 
tons  from  a  vessel  in  ten  hours.  The  company  handles  thirty  or 
fortv  thousand  tons  of  coal  annually.  The  grinding  of  paint  has 
been  discontinued  by  the  firm,  but  it  still  engages  in  the  sale  of  paints 
and  oils,  as  well  as  hay,  straw,  fertilizers,  and  naval  stores.  About 
fifty  men  are  in  the  employ  of  the  company.  The  firm  also  does 
a  house,  ship,  and  sign  painting  business  with  an  office  at  No.  9 
North  Water  street. 

The  coal  business  now  conducted  by  David  Duff  &  Son  (David 
and  John  Duff)  antedates  that  of  any  other  coal  firm  in  the  city, 
having  been  originally  established  by  Capt.  George  Randall.  The 
business  was  purchased  of  Parker  &  Haskell  by  the  present  firm 
about  a  year  ago,  and  the  facilities  have  since  been  enlarged  by  the 
erection  of  a  pocket  on  Fish  Island,  one  hundred  twelve  by  thirty- 
eight  feet  in  area,  with  a  height  of  twenty-one  feet  between  the  floor 
and  the  run.  This  pocket  is  provided  with  a  hoisting  apparatus  of  an 
improved  pattern  and  has  a  capacity  of  twenty-three  hundred  tons. 
The  capacity  of  the  other  sheds  on  the  island  is  about  five  thousand 
tons  and  the  firm  handles  about  ten  thousand  tons  of  coal  annually. 
About  twenty  men  are  employed. 

The  coal  business  of  Albert  W.  Holmes,  at  Atlantic  wharf,  w^as 
established  over  thirty  years  ago,  by  Joseph  Cundall,  who  built  the 
wharf.  The  business  was  subsequently  carried  on  by  Peleg  S.  Mac}^ 
until  1869,  when  it  passed  into  the  hands  of  Josiah  Holmes,  Jr.,  who 
added  to  the  business  wood,  hay,  and  straw  departments.  In  1884 
the  present  proprietor  succeeded  to  the  business  of  his  father. 
The  property  occupied  embraces  over  an  acre  and  a  half  and  the 
sheds,  which  are  four  hundred  b}'  forty-five  feet  in  area,  have  been 
entirely  rebuilt  within  a  year.  Mr.  Holmes'  business  is  increasing 
and  he  employs  fifteen  men. 

Temple  S.  Corson  carries  on  the  coal  business  on  Front  street, 
at  the  foot  of  Middle.  The  coal  yard,  at  the  head  of  this  wharf,  is 
seventy-five  by  two  hundred  feet  in  area,  and  is  provided  with  sheds 
and  pockets.  He  employs  about  fifteen  men  and  handles  between 
eight  thousand  and  fifteen  thousand  tons  of  coal  annually. 


INDUSTRIAL    AND    FINANCIAL.  287 


The  coal  business  of  Hathaway  Brothers  (Benjamin  F.  Hatha- 
vva3^  Jr.,  and  James  L.  Hathaway)  was  established  by  Benjamin  F. 
Hathaway  in  December,  1865.  The  above  firm  succeeded  Mr. 
Hathaway  about  a  year  ago.  Ten  men  are  employed  and  the  retail 
trade  of  the  firm  aggregates  about  eight  thousand  tons  annually. 
The  wharf  and  yard  of  the  firm  is  next  south  of  the  Old  Colony 
passenger  station. 

Bates  &  Howard  have  been  established  in  the  coal  business  for 
about  two  years.     Their  yard  is  at  the  foot  of  Hillman  street. 


GAS  AND  ELECTRICITY. 


In  1850  a  company  of  gentlemen  from  Philadelphia,  acting 
together  with  Messrs.  James  B.  Congdon  and  Abraham  H.  Howland, 
obtained  a  state  charter  and  the  necessary  cit}'  authority  tor  supplying 
the  city  with  gas,  organizing  with  a  capital  of  $50,000.  Other  citi- 
zens soon  bought  out  the  Philadelphia  interest  and  a  permanent 
organization  was  formed,  with  William  C.  Taber  as  president  and 
James  B.  Congdon  as  treasurer,  and  the  works  were  completed  and 
the  gas  turned  on  February  14,  1853.  As  first  erected  the  entire 
works  occupied  but  a  small  part  of  the  present  situation  on  the  water 
front  at  the  foot  of  Madison,  then  called  Bush  street,  and  consisted 
only  of  a  brick  retort  liouse,  a  small  gas  holder  capable  of  holding 
thirty-five  thousand  cubic  feet,  and  an  office  and  coal  shed.  Suc- 
cessive enlargements  were  afterwards  made,  until  the  plant  now  covers 
over  three  acres  and  the  storage  capacity  in  the  three  holders  is  about 
two  hundred  thousand  feet,  with  an  annual  sale  of  nearly  fiftv  mill- 
ion. To  meet  these  expenditures  the  capital  stock  was  gradiuilly  in- 
creased up  to  the  year  1888  to  $225,000  and  the  entire  works  had  been 
practically  rebuilt.  For  over  thirty  years  of  the  interval  Messrs. 
Taber  and  Congdon  had  retained  their  respective  positions,  until  the 
death  of  Mr.  Congdon  was  followed  in  a  year  or  two  by  the  resignation 
of  Mr.  Taber,  and  Gilbert  Allen  was  elected  to  serve  in  both  positions. 
In  March,  1888,  permission  was  granted  by  the  state  gas  commis- 
sion to  enter  upon  tlie  business  of  manufacturing  and  selling  electric- 
ity for  light  and  power,  and  the  company  aeipiired  by  |iiirehase  the 
plant  and  property  of  the  New  Bedford  Electric  Company,  which 
had    been    furnishing  arc  lamps    to    the   city  from    their  station    at 


288  NIi;W    BEDFORD. 


the  foot  of  School  street.  To  meet  the  purchase  and  subsequent 
enhirgements  further  issues  of  stock  were  authorized  and  the  capital 
was  increased  to  $300,000.  In  1881  the  office  of  the  company  was 
removed  from  the  works  to  the  second  story  of  No.  71  William  street 
and  the  gas  company  undertook  the  sale  and  rental  of  gas  stoves  and 
fixtures.  The  manifest  advantage  of  gas  stoves  was  so  quickly  recog- 
nized that  in  1886  larger  quarters  were  found  by  hiring  the  store  No. 
73  William  street  and  opening  a  general  sale  store  for  all  kinds  of 
gas  apparatus,  equipping  the  basement  with  all  the  apparatus  for  new 
and  repair  work  in  all  kinds  of  gas  fittings.  To  such  an  extent  has 
tills  business  grown  that  during  the  year  1888  fully  six  hundred 
stoves  were  rented  and  more  than  one  hundred  houses  were  piped  for 
gas,  requiring  long  additions  to  the  street  mains,  which  now  extend 
about  thirty  miles  in  the  streets.  Much  of  this  increased  demand  is 
due  to  the  lower  prices  for  the  gas  itself,  which  has  gradually  fallen 
from  $3.50  net  per  thousand  feet,  when  the  company  was  first  organ- 
ized, to  $1.80  net,  or,  in  a  quantity  of  four  thousand  feet  per  monthj 
to  $1.50.  Following  the  usual  policy  of  the  company  it  may  be 
expected  that  further  radical  improvements  now  contemplated  in  the 
economical  manufacture  of  gas  will  reduce  the  rates  yet  lower.  After 
the  company's  accession  of  the  electric  plant  this  branch  of  the 
business  was  more  full}-  developed  and  four  Westinghouse  incandes- 
cent dynamos,  with  a  capacity  of  twenty-six  hundred  lamps  of 
sixteen-candle  power,  were  successively  added  with  the  necessar}' 
engines,  until  the  power  plant  is  now  rated  at  six  hundred  horse 
power.  A  new  generator  for  supplying  motive  power  and  a  divided 
arc  circuit  were  installed  and  as  the  demand  now  grew  greater  than 
the  capacity  of  the  station,  contracts  were  given  out  (and  the  building 
is  almost  completed)  for  an  entirely  new  brick  station  to  be  placed 
on  the  gas  works  property  with  a  capacity  of  twelve  hundred  horse 
power.  As  designed,  this  new  building  will  be  one  hundred  four- 
teen by  eighty-three  feet,  of  two  stories,  to  contain  seven  boilers,  and 
will  be  supplied  with  compound  condensing  engines  and  every  advan- 
tage which  experience  can  suggest  for  the  economical  and  successful 
generation  of  electricity  of  any  tension  or  voltage,  either  full  arc, 
divided  arc,  incandescent,  or  motive  power, — in  any  way,  in  short, 
in  which  electricity  can  be  commercially  supplied.  The  gas  company 
has  endeavored  in  all  this  to  employ  the  best  possible  methods  of 
manufacture  and  distribution  and  the  best  men  it  can  obtain,  and  the 


INDUSTRIAL    AND    FINANCIAL.  289 

practical  result  has  demonstrated  the  success  of  the  undertaking.  In 
the  distribution  of  its  electric  currents  in  all  its  wiring,  of  which  it 
now  has  over  seventy-five  miles,  it  has  not  added  to  its  original  pur- 
chase one  foot  of  any  but  the  best  insulating  wires.  At  the  beginning, 
the  decision  was  made  that  all  wires,  both  in  the  streets  and  the  houses, 
should  be  so  well  protected  that  every  source  of  danger  should  be  as 
far  as  possible  eliminated, —  a  decision  which  has  won  the  hearty  ap- 
probation of  the  insurance  inspector  and  of  the  electrical  engineers 
who  have  inspected  the  work.  With  the  completion  of  the  new  works 
in  the  early  spring  of  1889  the  company  confidently  expects  to  be  able 
to  manufacture  electricity  as  efficiently  and  sell  as  cheaply  as  anv  other 
station  similarly  situated  and  with  as  much  safetv  to  the  consumer 
as  by  any  other  system.  The  present  officers  of  the  company  are 
Gilbert  Allen,  president  and  treasurer;  Robert  B.  Taber,  secretary, 
who  has  also  charge  of  the  electrical  department.  Gideon  Wood  has 
had  charge  as  superintendent  at  the  gas  works  for  over  thirty  years, 
and  Ellery  R.  Bassett  is  superintendent  at  the  electric  (School 
street)  station.  The  entire  force  now  numbers  over  seventy-five 
men. 

The  Edison  Electric  Illuminating  Company  was  organized  in 
1884,  but  nothing  was  done  until  the  following  year,  when  the  com- 
pany started  with  a  capital  stock  of  $50,000.  Ground  was  broken 
for  the  station,  wdiich  is  of  brick,  two  stories  high,  situated  on  Middle 
street,  October  9,  and  lighting  was  commenced  July  23,  1886,  with 
five  hundred  or  six  hundred  lamps  connected.  The  total  number  of 
lamps  now  subscribed  for  is  over  five  thousand.  A  dividend  of  two 
and  one-half  per  cent,  was  paid  the  first  year  and  the  capital  stock 
was  doubled.  In  1887  a  dividend  of  6  per  cent,  was  paid  on  the 
increased  capital.  The  plant  includes  three  boilers,  each  of  one 
hundred  twenty-five  horse  power,  four  engines,  of  sixty,  one  hundred, 
one  hundred  twenty-five,  and  one  hundred  fifty  horse  power,  respect- 
ively, and  eight  dynamos.  There  is  a  power  system  connected  with 
the  same  wires. 

The  present  officers  are  as  follows  : 

President — John  W.  Macomber. 

Treasurer,  clerk,  and  manager  —  Chark-s  R.  Price. 

Directors  —  Isaac  W.  Benjamin,  Oh\cr  P.  Brigluinaii.  Jolin  J. 
Howland,  William  D.  Howland,  Ilosea  M.  Knowlton.  John  \V. 
Macomber,  Charles  W.  Plummer,  Charles  R.  Price,  and  Thomas 
B.  Wilcox. 


290 


NEW    BEDFORD. 


BAKERIES. 


The  tirst  patent  bakery  in  New  England  was  established  by 
David  A.  Snell,  who  now  carries  on  one  of  the  largest  establish- 
ments tor  the  manufacture  of  plain  and  fancy  crackers  and  cake 
goods  in  Massachusetts.  The  business  was  established  here  in  the 
fall  of  1857,  at  which  time  the  consumption  of  flc^ur  was  three  barrels 
a  week.  In  the  spring  of  1858  he  took  as  a  partner  Charles  D. 
Capen  and  bought  out  Jacob  B.  Hadley,  thus  greatly  increasing  the 
business  and  making  the  consumption  of  flour  thirty  barrels  weekl}^ 
In  the  fall  of  1859,  Mr.  Snell  sold  his  interest  in  the  business  to  his 
partner  and  established  the  first  patent  bakery  in  New  England 
against  the  combined  influence  of  the  four  shipbread  bakers  in  the 
city.  The  war  breaking  out  the  following  year,  Mr.  Snell  made 
large  contracts  with  the  government  for  supplying  army  bread.  In 
1867  the  whaling  business  began  to  decline  and,  the  war  being  over, 
the  demand  for  shipbread  became  light.  At  this  time  Mr.  Snell  re- 
moved to  the  building  at  the  northwest  corner  of  William  and  Water 
streets,  where  he  engaged  in  another  branch  of  the  business,  the 
manufacture  of  plain  and  fancy  crackers  and  cake  goods.  A  build- 
ing about  one  hundred  feet  in  area  and  three  stories  high  is  occu- 
pied, and  the  most  improved  machinery  is  used.  Six  years  ago  Mr. 
Snell  started  a  branch  bakery  at  the  corner  of  Rock  and  Bedford 
streets,  in  Fall  River,  which  is  now  in  successful  operation.  The 
total  number  of  hands  employed  in  the  bakery  is  forty-tour,  and  four- 
teen travelling  salesmen  are  employed,  who  cover  the  whole  of  New 
England.  The  consumption  of  flour  is  now  about  ten  thousand  bar- 
rels annually. 

The  bakery  of  Jonathan  Buttrick  at  No.  18  Centre  street  was 
established  between  sixty-five  and  sevent}-  N^ears  ago  bv  Enoch 
Horton.  Mr.  Horton  learned  his  trade  with  Nathaniel  Tucker,  of 
Milton,  to  whom  Mr.  Buttrick's  father  was  also  apprenticed,  and 
simultaneously  with  the  establishment  of  the  bakerv  here,  Mr. 
Buttrick  commenced  business  in  Fairhaven.  Mr.  Horton's  bakery 
subsequently  passed  into  the  hands  of  Watson  &  Manchester  and 
then  Samuel  Watson  carried  it  on.  The  present  proprietor  learned 
the  trade  of  his  father  and  went  to  work  for    Mr.  Watson  in  1878. 


INDUSTRIAL    AND    FINANCIAL.  29I 

The  following  year  Mr.  Watson  died  and  Mr.  Buttrick  assumed  the 
business.  Mr.  Buttrick  bakes  shipbread  only  and  tor  this  purpose 
employs  two  brick  ovens  and  a  rotary  oven.  There  are  no  other  ingre- 
dients in  the  bread  excepting  flour  and  water,  and  it  is  baked  in  cakes, 
about  five  inches  square,  weighing  five  to  the  pound.  It  is  packed 
in  air  tight  casks  and  will  keep  from  three  to  seven  years  without 
moulding.  An  average  of  seventy-five  barrels  of  flour  is  baked  up 
for  a  vessel  starting  on  a  voyage  and  further  supplies  are  shipped 
out  to  the  islands  for  the  vessels.  Mr.  Buttrick  bakes  the  bread  used 
by  all  the  whaling  agents,  with  one  exception,  and  the  consumption 
of  flour  at  this  factory  for  seven  years  has  been  as  follows:  1881, 
fifteen  hundred  sixty-four  barrels;  1882,  sixteen  hundred  seventy- 
one  barrels;  1883,  fourteen  hundred  eighty-four  barrels;  1884,  ^tn 
hundred  sixty-seven  barrels;  1885,  eleven  hundred  eighty-seven 
barrels  ;  1886,  nine  hundred  ninety-eight  barrels  ;  1887,  ten  hundred 
ninety-two  barrels. 

Henry  H.  Fisher,  E.  C.  Milliken,  and  S.  P.  Richmond  &  Co. 
carry  on  extensive  bakeries,  their  products  bemg  chiefly  lor  local 
consumption. 

PAINT  MANUFACTORIES. 


The  paint  manufactory  of  Brownell  &  Co.  is  located  at  No.  13 
North  Front  street.  It  was  established  in  1879  ^v  H.  J.  Brownell,  at 
the  corner  of  First  and  School  streets,  and  in  January,  1880,  Albion 
T.  Brownell  entered  the  firm.  Subsequently  H.  J.  Brownell  withdrew 
from  the  partnership.  The  business  is  the  grinding  of  drv  white 
lead,  blacks,  verdigris,  and  dry  colors.  The  machinery  consists  of  a 
lead  mixer,  a  lead  mill  with  a  French  burr  stone,  a  color  mixer,  and 
three  color  mills.  Tlie  firm  also  deals  in  painters' supplies  and  has  a 
market  extending  from  I'ortland,  Me.,  to  New  Jersey. 

In  1861  George  Kirby,  Jr.,  commenced  the  manufacture  of  paints 
and  laid  the  foundation  for  one  of  our  leading  industries.  The  firm 
of  George  Kirby,  Jr.,  &  Co.  now  transacts  a  business  aggregating 
one  hundred  thousand  dollars  annually,  and  Kirby's  steamship  black 
and  Kirby's  copper  paints  are  known  throughout  the  country.  For 
twent}'-three  years  tlie  factory  lias  been  located  on  Wall  street.  In 
April,  1S87,  it  was  destroyed  by  fire  and  a  new  building  was  erected, 


292 


NEW    BEDFORD. 


one  hundred  twenty  by  one  hundred  feet  in  area,  and  one  and  two 
stories  high.  Fine  colors  are  imported  and  painters'  speciahies  are 
manufactured.  Twelve  hands  are  employed.  The  firm  now  com- 
prises George  Kirby,  Jr.,  George  A.  Kirby,  and  Eugene  M.  Barrows. 
The  firm  of  Brightman  Brothers,  consisting  of  Frederick  W. 
and  William  O.  Brightman,  was  established  about  a  year  and  a  half 
ago  at  No.  7  Rodman  street.  The  business  is  that  of  grinding  colors 
in  oil  and  japan.  The  machinery  consists  of  two  mixers  and  three 
mills. 


NOVELTIES  IN  METAL. 


The  Weeden  Manufacturing  Company  manufactures  novelties  in 
metal  and  occupies  the  two  story  brick  building  Nos.  112  and  114 
North  Water  street.  The  business  was  founded  by  William  N. 
Weeden  in  1883.  Mr.  Weeden  is  a  native  of  New  Bedford.  He 
learned  the  trade  of  a  jeweller  of  James  T.  Almy,  of  this  city,  and 
afterwards  engaged  in  business  in  Boston  for  about  a  dozen  years. 
At  the  expiration  of  that  time  he  made  an  engagement  with  the  Ben- 
edict &  Burnham  Manufacturing  Company,  at  Waterbury.  While  in 
their  employ  the  Waterbury  watch  was  brought  to  them  and  put  into 
his  hands  to  develop,  and  finally  its  manufacture  caused  the  formation 
of  the  Waterbur}'  Watch  Company,  of  which  he  was  first  superin- 
tendent for  four  years,  visiting  Europe  three  times  in  that  period  to 
introduce  and  perfect  the  manufacture  of  the  watch.  In  the  summer 
of  1882  he  severed  his  connection  with  the  watch  compan}-  and 
removed  to  this  city,  establishing  himself  in  business  at  Grinnell's 
foundry,  where  the  necessary  tools  were  manufactured.  A  growing 
business  caused  him  to  remove  to  the  building  he  occupies  at  present, 
where  he  leased  one-third  of  the  upper  floor.  As  his  goods  became 
popular  and  greater  facilities  were  required,  he  branched  out  until 
finally  the  entire  building  was  employed.  In  1884  he  invented  a  toy 
engine  under  an  arrangement  with  Perry,  Mason  &  Co.,  publishers  of 
the  Youths'  Companion,  and  later  this  scientific  toy  was  patented. 
The  engine  is  an  upright,  complete  miniature  engine,  eight  inches 
high,  with  diameter  of  boiler  two  and  three-quarters  inches,  having  a 
capacity  of  half  a  pint;  area  of  piston,  one  hundred  fifty-nine  thou- 
sandths square  inch  ;  length  of  stroke,  nineteen  thirty-seconds  inch  ; 


INDUSTRIAL    AND    FINANCIAL.  293 

diameter  of  fly-wheel,  one  and  five-eighths  inch ;  weight  of  fly- 
wheel, one  ounce  :  diameter  of  pulley,  five-eighths  of  an  inch.  The 
entire  machine  consists  of  forty-one  separate  pieces,  and  before  it 
is  ready  for  shipment  is  nicely  packed  in  a  box  with  sawdust,  over 
four  hundred  distinct  operations  being  required  to  make  it.  All  the 
working  parts  of  the  toy  are  nickel  plated,  as  well  as  the  smoke-stack, 
boiler,  and  fire-box.  Every  engine  is  run  and  tested  before  packing, 
and  this  manufacture  necessitates  a  large  outlay,  as  the  engines  are 
put  into  the  works  in  lots  of  ten  thousand  at  a  time,  several  tons  of 
lead,  antimony,  tin  plate,  and  other  metals  being  consumed  in  their 
manufacture.  Movable  toys  were  devised,  which  the  engine  oper- 
ates, and  all  the  boys  know  what  the  "Village  Blacksmith"  and 
"Machine  Shop"  are. 

Mr.  Weeden  also  manufactured  luminous  match  safes  in  great 
varieties,  magic  lanterns,  sewing  assistants,  and  musical  watches. 
All  the  machinery  employed  in  the  manufacture  is  designed  and  made 
on  the  premises. 

Inasmuch  as  the  work  at  the  factory  required  so  much  of  Mr. 
Weeden's  time  that  he  could  not  properly  attend  to  the  outside  busi- 
ness of  the  firm,  a  stock  company  was  formed  in  Julv,  1887,  with  a 
capital  stock  of  $50,000,  to  manufacture  Mr.  Weeden's  novelties,  and 
the  officers  are  as  follows  : 

President — J.  Arthur  Beauvais. 
Treasurer  —  Charles  E.  Barney. 
Superintendent  —  William  N.  Weeden. 

Directors — J.  Arthur  Beauvais.  Charles  E.  Barney,  William.  N. 
Weeden,  George  S.  Homer,  and  Edward  S.  Brown. 

The  latest  invention  of  Mr.  Weeden  promises  to  become  the  most 
popular.  It  is  a  steam  locomotive  with  a  track.  The  latter  is  laid  in 
sections  and  the  locomotive  runs  for  a  half  hour. 

Over  fifty  hands  are  employed. 

MISCELLANEOUS    ENTERPRISES. 


The  Triumph  Heat  and  Light  Company  was  organized  at  Port- 
land, Me.,  April  11,  1888,  for  the  manufacture  of  gas  and  vapor 
stoves.  The  office  of  the  corporation  is  at  No.  39  Exchange  street, 
Portland,  but  tlie  business  of  the  company  is  transacted  at  the  office 


294 


NEW    BEDFORD. 


of  the  treasurer,  No.  44  North  Water  street,  in  this  city.  The  factory 
is  located  here  also,  in  Swift  &  Allen's  block.  Front  street.  The 
stock  consists  of  fifty  thousand  shares  of  the  par  value  of  ten  dollars 
each.  The  company  manufactures  various  forms  of  burners  for  pro- 
ducing heat  from  illuminating  gas,  water  gas,  natural  gas,  and  the 
vapor  of  gasoline.  It  also  makes  an  improved  form  of  vaporizer  for 
the  production  of  gasoline  vapor,  and  among  its  productions  is  a 
combination  piece  of  furniture  in  the  form  of  an  antique  clock,  con- 
taining a  stove,  with  other  combinations.  Gas  burners  for  use  in  the 
fire  pot  of  any  ordinary  cook  stove,  the  grate  and  lining  being 
removed,  are  also  made  here.  The  heaters  produce  intense  heat  with 
a  small  consumption  of  fuel  and  are  practically  odorless  while  in 
operation.  All  the  articles  manufactured  by  the  company  are  the 
inventions  of  Robert  B.  Carsley,  of  this  city.  The  officers  of  the 
company  are  as  follows  : 

President  —  Edmund  Rodman. 

Vice  president  —  James  H.  Murkland. 

Secretary  and  treasurer — James  L.  Gillingham. 

Directors  —  Edmund  Rodman,  James  H.  Murkland,  Oliver  P. 
Brightman,  Joshua  B.  Winslow,  Pardon  Cornell,  Frank  C.  Smith, 
Robert  B.  Carsley. 

Superintendent  —  George  D.  Brown. 

The  latest  addition  to  our  diversified  industries  is  the  manufact- 
ure of  pianos,  under  the  patents  of  Hiram  B.  Nickerson,  of  this  city, 
in  the  third  story  of  Parker's  block,  on  Middle  street.  The  piano 
differs  from  others  in  having  one-half  the  strings  run  through  the 
back  of  the  plate,  and  the  remainder  through  the  front,  with  a  differ- 
ential screw  for  a  tuning  pin,  thus  equalizing  the  strain  and  improving 
the  tone.  By  means  of  the  tuning  device  it  is  claimed  that  an 
upright  piano  will  hold  its  tune  ten  times  longer  than  bv  any  device 
now  in  use.  The  invention  at  once  secured  the  approval  of  expert 
pianists  and  tuners  and  the  endorsement  of  a  committee  of  the  Board 
of  Trade  of  this  city,  among  others. 

In  June,  1888,  the  Nickerson  Piano  Company  was  organized 
under  the  laws  of  the  state  of  Maine,  with  $100,000  capital  and  the 
foUowincy  officers  : 

President  —  William  Lewds. 
Clerk  —  George  H.  Nichols. 
Assistant  clerk  —  Charles  H.  Holden. 
Treasurer  —  Frank  R.  Hadley. 


INDUSTRIAL    AND    FINANCIAL.  295 


Directors  —  Wendell  H.  Cobb,  Hiram  B.  Nickerson,  James  C. 
Stafford,  and  William  Lewis. 

The  manufacture  was  commenced  in  September.  At  present  the 
cases  and  actions  are  bought  at  manufactories,  and  the  Nickerson 
patent  is  put  in  here.  The  pianos  are  high  priced  instruments,  retail- 
ing at  from  five  hundred  dollars  to  six  hundred  dollars,  but  it  is 
claimed  that  the}'  are  superior  to  any  other  piano  in  the  world. 

The  Henry  V.  Davis  Chemical  Works  are  situated  on  Court 
street,  between  Chancery  and  Park  streets,  and  prussiate  of  potash 
and  cyanide  of  potassium  are  manufactured  here. 

The  works  make  the  latter  product  in  larger  amount  and  of  a 
higher  grade  than  any  other  factory  in  the  country,  the  only  serious 
competition  being  in  the  imported  article.  The  industry  commenced 
in  the  manufacture  of  Prussian  blue  in  a  little  shanty  at  the  corner  of 
William  and  Sixth  streets,  and  about  the  year  1840  the  business  was 
purchased  by  Henry  V.  Davis  and  Philip  B.  Lewis.  Soon  after  Mr. 
Davis  became  the  sole  proprietor,  and  on  his  death,  several  3'ears  ago, 
the  heirs  continued  the  business.  About  twenty  hands  are  now 
employed  here. 

The  prussiate  is  used  in  dyeing  and  calico  printing,  but  ot  late 
years  but  little  of  this  product  has  been  made.  The  cyanide  is 
largely  employed  in  electroplating.  There  are  two  ovens  at  the 
works  and  the  cyanide  is  formed  by  burning  horn  waste,  hides  or 
leather,  and  potash. 

Thomas  M.  Denham  &  Brother  manufacture  shirts  on  a  large 
scale  in  the  three  story  block  erected  by  the  firm  several  years  ago, 
on  Acushnet  avenue.  The  senior  member  of  the  fu-m  commenced 
the  manufacture  in  a  small  way  in  a  room  in  Cole's  tavern  building, 
on  Water  street,  in  1868.  A  few  years  afterward  lie  took  his  brother 
Edward  into  the  firm  and  removed  his  factory  to  the  third  story  of 
Cummings  building,  where  thev  remained  until  1878,  when  they 
moved  into  the  new  building  built  by  them  for  their  use.  The  firm 
has  seven  patents  under  which  it  manufactures,  and  in  tiie  busy  sea- 
son employs  two  hundred  hands,  piiiH'ipally  giils.  As  an  indication 
of  the  development  of  the  business,  it  may  lie  stated  that  the  lirst 
year  Mr.  Denham  manufactured  eight  hundred  shirts.  Now  twelve 
hundred  shirts  are  frequently  made  in  a  day. 

Denison  r)r()thers  ow  11  and  o|">t'rale  the  two  large  Hour  and  grain 
mills  situated  at  tiie  corner  of  Water  and  School   streets  and  at  the 


296 


NEW    BEDFORD. 


foot  of'Hillman  street.  No  flour  has  been  manufactured  here  for 
five  or  six  years  because  of  the  superior  facilities  at  the  west,  but  corn 
and  feed  are  ground  at  both  mills,  and  the  firm  does  a  large  business 
in  cereal  products.  The  business  was  established  and  the  south  mill 
built  in  1857  by  Joseph  B.  Warner  and  John  H.  Denison,  under  the 
firm  name  of  Warner  &  Denison.  This  partnership  continued  until 
1865,  when  Henr}^  C.  Denison  was  admitted  and  the  firm  name 
became  Warner,  Denison  &  Co.  About  the  year  1868  Mr.  Warner 
withdrew  and  the  firm  name  was  changed  to  J.  H.  Denison  &  Co. 
In  1877  George  Wilson  was  admitted  into  the  business  and  the  north 
mill  was  purchased.  Mr.  Wilson  remained  in  the  firm  three  years 
and  on  his  withdrawal  the  firm  name  became  Denison  Bros.,  and 
so  it  remains.     Twenty-seven  men  are  employed. 

The  business  of  Coffin  Bros.,  paper  box  manufacturers,  was 
established  about  thirty-five  years  ago  by  Frederick  Coffin,  the 
senior  member  of  the  firm.  He  continued  to  conduct  the  business 
with  his  brother,  Charles  H.  Coffin,  until  1883,  when  his  nephews, 
Walter  H.  and  Arthur  S.  Coffin  were  admitted  to  partnership.  The 
three  story  building.  No.  38  Middle  street,  is  occupied  as  a  factory 
and  about  fifteen  hands  are  emplox'ed.  Pasteboard  boxes  of  all  sizes 
and  styles  are  manufactured  and  a  specialty  is  made  of  the  Coffin 
folding  paper  box. 

The  New  Bedford  Hydraulic  Motor  Company  manufactures 
water  motors  at  No.  13  Rodman  street,  and  a  large  number  is  now 
in  use.  The  invention  of  this  motor  consists  in  an  impact  water- 
wheel  wherein  is  provided  a  novel  adjustable  and  removable  supply- 
ing contrivance,  a  novel  indicator,  and  a  novel  guarded  air-vent. 
The  speed  of  the  motor  can  be  regulated  and  indicated  to  an  almost 
infinitesimal  degree  by  hand  or  speed  governor.  Fred.  S.  Giffbrd  is 
the  manager  of  the   company. 

Job  Wade,  currier,  occupies  the  three  story  brick  building  No. 
17  Hamilton  street.  He  finishes  leather  and  his  specialties  are  the 
manufacture  of  carriage  trimming  leather  in  colors  and  welting  and 
inner  soles  for  shoes  made  on  the  Goodyear  machine.  In  addition 
to  the  factory  on  Hamilton  street  Mr.  Wade  occupies  a  floor  in  a 
building  on  Commercial  street.     Twelve  men  are  emplo\'ed. 

The  New  Bedford  Reed  Company  is  located  at  No.  189  North 
Water  street,  and  the  firm  consists  of  Manuel  D.,  John  D.,  and  Joseph 
D.  Martin.      It  manufactures  weaving  reeds  for  cotton,  woolen,  and 


INDUSTRIAL    AND    FINANCIAL.  297 


silk  mills  and  does  a  thrifty  business.  The  company  has  been  located 
here  for  about  three  years- 
Henry  C.  Fowler,  manufacturer  of  loom  harnesses  for  silk  and 
cotton  mills,  is  located  in  the  second  story  of  the  building  on  Parker's 
wharf,  at  the  foot  of  Middle  street.  He  has  been  in  business  in  this 
city  for  two  years  and  employs  twelve  hands. 

J.  H.  Lawrence,  top  roll  and  clearer  coverer,  has  a  factory  on 
the  lower  floor  of  this  building.  He  emplo^'s  ten  hands  and  does 
work  for  all  the  cotton  mills  in  the  city. 

The  bomb  gun  and  lance  has  taken  the  place  of  the  harpoon  in 
whaling.  Shoulder,  darting,  and  swivel  guns  are  manufactured  by 
William  Lewis,  under  the  Cunningham  patent,  Eben  Pierce,  12 
William  street,  Daniel  Kelleher,  19  North  First  street,  and  Selmar 
Eggers,  10  William  street.  An  interesting  circumstance  in  con- 
nection with  the  subject  ma}'  be  related.  A  short  time  ago  a  blue 
whale  was  taken  off  Finmark,  on  the  coast  of  Norway,  in  which  was 
found  a  lance  of  Mr.  Pierce's  patent,  made  after  a  pattern  manufac- 
tured by  him  twenty  years  ago. 

George  H.  Freeman  manufactures  writing  and  copying  inks  at 
No.  17  Centre  street.  He  has  been  engaged  in  this  business  tor  about 
a  dozen  years  and  his  inks  are  considered  as  good  as  any  made. 

There  are  now  scarcely  as  many  sail  makers  in  the  city  as  there 
were  sail  lofts  in  the  palmy  days  of  whaling,  not  over  twenty  men  be- 
ini§  regularly  employed  in  the  branch  of  industry  which  was  once  so 
important  here.  The  firms  now  engaged  in  sail  making  are  Thomas 
M.  Hart  &  Co.  (Thomas  M.  Hart,  James  C.  Briggs,  and  Oliver  W. 
Cobb),  whose  loft  is  on  Commercial  street,  Eduard  E.  Hitch,  who 
carries  on  the  business  at  Merrill's  whart\  Job  AKny,  whose  loft  is  on 
Middle  street,  and  Chapman  &:  Shurtleff,  corner  of  Union  and  Front 
streets. 

This  statement  is  true  of  other  kindred  industries,  such  as  rig- 
ging, pump  and  block,  and  mast  and  spar  making.  The  most 
prominent  riggers  now  engaged  in  the  busiiu-ss  an-  IV-ti-r  Black, 
Abram  Allen,  and  John  L.  Olstein.  The  pump  ant!  bh)ck  makers  are 
Charles  W.  Coggeshall,  Walter  D.  Swan,  Thomas  W.  Swift.  Phineas 
White,  and  Edward  S.  Taber,  and  the  promim-nt  mast  and  spar 
makers  are  Rodolphus  Beetle  and  Johnson  »lv:  Ilowhuul. 

Prominent  among  the  marble  workers  are  Frederick  E.  Allen, 
20   North    Second    street,  Theodore  W.  Cole,  20  William  street,  the 


298  NEW     BEDFORD. 


New  Bedford  Monumental  Marble  Works,  25  Fourth  street,  and  A. 
Moore  &  Co.,  Pope's  Island. 

The  leading  manufacturers  of  roofing  and  concrete  pavers  are 
Perkins  &  Chase,  John  Bertram  &  Co.,  and  Lloyd  Bros. 

Among  the  leading  building  contractors  are  Brownell  &  Murk- 
land,  who  have  an  office  in  room  8  of  Liberty  Hall  building  and 
who  make  a  specialty  of  mill  construction  ;  Samuel  C.  Hunt,  at  41 
William  street,  the  builder  of  the  Harrington  school  house  ;  John  N. 
Morris,  at  73  Grinnell  street,  who  has  erected  many  handsome 
dwellings ;  George  E.  Briggs,  at  54  Dartmouth  street,  who  is  a 
thorough  and  careful  workman  ;  and  Charles  O.  Brightman,  at  82 
Mill  street,  whose  work  includes  some  of  the  best  buildings  in  the  city. 

Thomas  J.  Giftord  &  Co.  make  Park's  steam  heater,  an  appliance 
which  has  won  much  favor  for  heating  both  residences  and  public 
buildings.  The  factory  is  at  367  Acushnet  avenue,  and  plumbing, 
steam  fitting,  and  gas  fitting,  are  extensively  carried  on. 

Thomas  B.  Tripp,  whose  office  is  at  325  County  street,  is  a  lead- 
ing real  estate  agent.  He  has  had  long  experience,  and  few  men 
are  so  well  posted  with  regard  to  the  value  of  landed  property  in  this 
city  or  the  adjoining  towns  as  he.  F.  A.  F.  Adams  is  also  a  real 
estate  agent  with  an  office  at  No.  48  North  Water  street. 

Connected  with  both  the  newspaper  establishments  —  the  Stand- 
ard and  Mercury  —  are  large  and  well  equipped  job  printing  offices. 
The  job  printing  business  is  also  conducted  by  Paul  Howland,^r., 
in  the  Robeson  building  on  William  street. 

F.  W.  Francis  is  a  manufacturer  of  fine  cigars  at  23  Commer- 
cial street.     He  has  also  an  office  and  retail  store  at  148  Union  street. 

Charles  S.  Paisler,  at  160  North  Water  street,  is  a  wholesale 
and  retail  dealer  in  masons'  building  materials,  and  does  a  large  and 
increasing  business. 


CHAPTER  V. 


A  DIVERSITY  OF  SUBJECTS. 


LL  that  has  been  said  of  New  Bedford,  of  its  his- 
tory, its  attractions,  its  industries,  its 
social,  religious,  and  benevolent  activ- 
ities, fails  to  exhaust  the  theme.  The 
sons  and  daughters  of  this  pleasant  and 

^^^PPy  city  on  the  shore  of  the  placid 

C    /    ^^Pl      ^^<^  Acushnet,  wherever  they  may  be  scat- 

*■ 1j-\  4'~'-ij^=^         tered  throughout  the  world,  will  with 

,       one  voice  testify  that  no  word  in  her 

praise   is    too    glowing,    and    that   the 
^i>^^Mk   '^"'^^ffigs^-.--    picture  of  her  charms  is  not  half  the 
— —  reality.     But  the  bounds  of  this  vol- 

ume are  nearly  reached,  and  all  that  can  now  be  added  must  be 
limited  to  the  plain  statement  of  plain  facts,  for  which  no  appropriate 
place  has  been  found  in  the  preceding  pages.  In  this  chapter,  there- 
fore, are  gathered  various  scraps  of  information,  not  closelv  related, 
but  all  having  some  important  bearing  on  the  interests  or  the  condi- 
tion of  New  Bedford. 

The  financial  standing  of  the  municipality  is  indicated  by  the 
following  tabular  statement  of  the  city  debt : 

Water  bonds,  7s, §140,000.00 

Water  bonds,  6s, ;{-20.000.00 

Water  bonds,  5s, 100.000.00 

Water  bonds,  4s, 120.000.00 

Bridge  bonds,  6s, 10,000.00 

Sewer  bonds,  4s, (l.l.OOO.OO 

Sewer  bonds,  3is, 7.j,000.00 

Improvement  bonds,  6s, 22.3,000.00 

Improvement  bonds,  4s, 1."), 000. 00 

Improvement  bonds,  3is, 140,000.00 

Bonds  outstanding, $1,208,000.00 


302  NKW    BEDFORD. 


The  trust  funds  are  as  follows : 

Sylvia  Ann  Howland  bequest $100,000.00 

George  O.  Crocker  bequest, 10,000.00 

Library  funds  other  than  above,      4,100.00 

Cemetery  funds  for  care  of  lots, 7,064.93 

Jonathan  Bourne  school  fund, 1,000.00   .$122,104.93 

$1,330,104.93 
Temporary  debt 125,000.00 

Total  debt, 81,455,164.93 

Deduct  from  the  last  sura  named: 

Balance  of  cash,  January  7,  1889, $32,196.88 

Amounts  due  from  state,      7,230.00 

Taxes  collectable, 19,700.00 

Sewer  taxes  due,     7,347.39 

Sinking  funds,      52,897.77  119,372.04 

Net  debt  January  7,  1889, , 81,335.792.89 

The  regular  municipal  appropriation  bill  of  i888  was  as  follows  : 

Appropriations,  special  of  1887, $50,000.00 

Cemeteries, 1,500.00 

Commonwealth  of  Massachusetts,  chapter  252  (soldiers"  aid), 3,500.00 

Discount  for  prompt  payment  of  taxes, 10,000.00 

Fire  department,     30,500.00 

Free  public  library, 5,400.00 

Highwaj-s  and  streets, 77,000.00 

Incidentals, 15,710.00 

Lighting  the  streets 27,000.00 

New  Bedford  and  Fairhaven  bridge, 1,000.00 

New  Bedford  water  works,     12,000.00 

Police  department, 46,000.00 

Poor  department, 33,000.00 

Public  debt, 114,611.00 

Public  schools,  incidentals, 22,000.00 

Public  schools,  pay  of  teachers, 75,000.00 

Public  schools,  repairs  of  buildings, 3,000.00 

Pepairs  of  city  property,     5,000.00 

Salaries,     13,990.00 

Sewers,  general  account, 1,000.00 

Sinking  funds,     17.200.00 

Truant  school, 2,000.00 


3,411.00 
Less  bonds  issued, 50.000.00 

$516,411.00 

The  special  appropriations  of  i888  were  : 

Cemeteries,     $2,500.00 

City  stable  and  lot, 11,580.44 


BRISTOL  COUNTY  COURT  HOUSE,  COUNTY  STREET. 


304 


NEW    BEDFORD. 


Engine  house  and  lot,  Durfee  street,     .$1,400.00 

Fire  dopartnicnt, 4,700.00 

Harrinirton  school  house  and  lot, .38, 264. .56 

Highway  department, .5,.500.00 

Incidentals, .0.50.00 

New  Bedford  and  Fairhaven  Bridge,      500.00 

Police  department 8,900.00 

Public  schools, 10,000.00 

Repairs  of  city  property, 3,455.00 

Sewers,  construction  and  repairs, 55,17.3.20 

$142,523.20 
Add  general  appropriations, 516,411.00 

Total, $6.58,934.20 

The  tax  assessments  of  i888  were  levied  as  follows  : 

State  tax, $40,522.-50 

County  tax, 41,274.10 

Citj-  appropriations, 486,411.00 

Overlay,     19,364.30 

$587,571.90 
The  rate  of  taxation  was  $17  on  $1000. 

Reference   has   already   been    made   to   some  of  the  churches. 

Following  is  a  complete  list,  with  the  location  and  the  names  of  the 

pastors  : 

Advent.     First.     Foster  street,  corner  of  Kempton.     William  A.  Burch,  pastor. 
Baptist.     First.     William  street,  west  of  Sixth.     J.  C.  Hideu,  D.  D.,  pastor. 

Xorth.     Corner  of  Merrimac  and  County  streets.     Henry  C.  Graves,  D.  D.,  pastor. 

Salem.     Sixth  street,  north  of  Union.     Andrew  Chamberlain,  pastor. 

Second.     Middle  street,  west  of  Sixth.     Eandolph  Hope,  pastor. 
Catholic.     St.  Hyacinthe.     Eivet  street,  west  of  County.     In  charge  of  Joseph  A. 
Peyan,  of  the  Church  of  the  Sacred  Heart. 

St.  James.  This  society  has  no  church  building,  but  services  are  held  in  the 
parochial  school  house,  corner  of  Aeushuet  avenue  and  Wing  street.  James  F. 
Clark,  pastor. 

St.  John  the  Baptist.    Fifth  street,  corner  of  Wing.     A.  G.  Neves,  pastor. 

St.  Lawrence.     County  street,  corner  of  Hillman.     Hugh  J.  Smythe,  pastor. 

Sacred  Heart.     Ashland  street,  corner  of  Eobeson.     Joseph  A.  Peyan,  pastor. 
Christiax.     First.     Purchase  street,  corner  of  Middle.     William  T.  Brown,  pastor. 

Bonuey  street,  corner  of  Sherman.     Isaac  H.  Coe,  pastor. 

Middle  street,  head  of  Sixth.     John  McCalman,  pastor. 

Spruce  street,  corner  of  Smith.     H.  M.  Eaton,  pastor. 
Congregational.    Acushnet  village.     S.  C.  Bushnell,  pastor. 

North.  Purchase  street,  corner  of  Elm.  Albert  H.  Heath,  D.  D.,  pastor.  The 
pastor  has  resigned,  and  will  leave  the  church  in  March,  1SS9. 

Trinitarian.     Fourth  street,  corner  of  School.     Matthew  C.  Julien,  pastor. 
Episcopal.     Grace.     Count}"-  street,  corner  of  School.     George  A.  Strong,  rector. 

St.  James.     County,  corner  of  Linden.     Charles  E.  Barnes,  rector. 


A    DIVERSITY    OF    SUBJECTS.  3O5 

Olivet.     Fourth  street,  corner  of  Eivet.     Alfred  Evan  Johnson,  rector. 
Friends.     Spring  street,  west  of  Sixth. 

Fifth  street,  north  of  Russell.     This  house  is  rarely  used. 
Methodist.     Allen  street,  corner  of  County.     Edward  Williams,  pastor. 

Bethel  (African).     Kempton  street.     J.  Wesley  Skerrett.  i)astor. 

County  street,  corner  of  Elm.     Angelo  Canoll.  pastor. 

Fourth  street,  between  Madison  and  Walnut.     Albert  P.  Palmer,  pastor. 

Pleasant  street,  corner  of  Sycamore.    Matthias  S.  Kaufman,  pastor. 

Primitive.     High  street.    J.  L.  Leith,  pastor. 

Zion  (African).     Elm  street,  west  of  County.    J.  Francis  Robinson,  pastor. 
Missions.     City  Mission  chapel.     South  Water  street.     '!'.  If.  Dennison,  missionary. 

Cannonville.     Services  held  by  various  clergymen. 

Seamen's  Bethel.     Bethel  street,  between  Union  and  AViiliani.     P^dward  Williams 
is  chaplain-elect. 
Presbyterian.    Has  no  church  building.    James  Mitchell,  pastor. 
Unitarian    (First  Congregational).   Union   street,  corner  of  Eighth.     William  J. 

Potter,  pastor. 
Universalist.     William  street,  east  of  Eighth.     George  T.  Flanders,  D.  1).,  pastor. 

Few  cities  surpass  New  Bedford  in  the  number  and  variety  of 
social,  musical,  and  literary  organizations.  Some  of  these  have 
already  been  mentioned.  Among  others  which  are  prominent  are 
the  New  Bedford  Lyceum,  an  institution  which  lias  in  the  past  been 
active  in  providing  lectures  and  concerts  for  the  public,  but  which 
for  the  present  is  doing  little.  The  New  Bedford  Choral  i\ssociation, 
organized  in  1869,  has  had  an  honorable  history,  and  has  done  much  for 
music  in  New  Bedford.  The  Rheinberger  Club  of  singers,  a  newer 
organization,  has  much  promise  for  the  future.  The  German  Sang- 
erbund  is  also  in  a  prosperous  condition.  Witii  brass  bands  and 
orchestras  the  city  is  fully  supplied,  and  some  of  these  organizations 
are  exceptionally  good. 

Of  secret  fraternal  societies  a  great  number  has  been  formed. 
Following  is  a  complete  list,  with  places  of  meeting.  In  the  list 
a  few  are  included  which  do  not  come  strictly  under  this  classification  : 

Masonic.     Star  in  the  East  Lodge,  F.  &  A.  M.     Masonic  hall.  Union  street. 
Eureka  Lodge,  F.  &  A.  M.     Masonic  hall.  Union  street. 

Union  Lodge,  No.  7,  F.  &  A.  M.  (colored).     Hall  in  Eddy  building.  Union  street. 
Adoniram  Royal  Arch  Chapter.     Masonic  liall,  Union  street. 
St.  Mark's  Chapter,  Xo.  .'>,  H.  R.  A.  M.    (colored).     Hall  in  Eddy  building.  Union 

street. 
Sutton  Commandery,  K.  T.     Masonic  hall.  Union  street. 
'I'honias  Dalton  Commandery,    Xo.    7,   K.  T.    (colored).     Hall  in  Edily  building. 

Union  street. 
J.  W.  Hood  Chapter,   Order  of   Eastern  Star  (cnl(.rcd\     Hall   in   Kd.ly  building. 

Union  street. 
Odd  Fellows.     Acuslmet  Lodge,  No.  41,  I.  O.  O.  F.     Oild  Fellows'  hall,  corner  of 

Purchase  and  William  streets. 


County  Street  Methodist  Church.  First  Baptist  Church. 

First  Congregational  (Unitarian)  Church. 
Trinitarian  Church.  Middle  Street  Christian  Church. 


A    DIVERSITY    OF    SUBJECTS.  307 


Vesta  Lodge,  No.  166,  I.  O.  O.  F.     Waverly  building.  Fourth  street. 

Petoinska  Lodge,    No.    1518,   G.    U.  O.  of  O.    F.  (colored).     Hall   opposite  post 

otHce,  on  Second  street. 
Loyal  Alpha  Lodge,  No.  646.3,  I.  O.  O.  F.,  M.  U.     China  hall.  Purdiase  street. 
Annawan  Encampment,  No.  8,  L  O.  O.  F.     Odd  Fellows"  liall,  corner  of  Purchase 

and  William  streets. 
Grand  Canton  New  Bedford,  No.  15,  P.  M.,  I.  O.  O.  F.     Odd  Fellows'  hall,  corner 

of  Purchase  and  William  streets. 
Stella  Lodge,  No.  46,  D.  of  R.     Waverly  building.  Fourth  street. 
Household  of  Euth,  No.  282    (colored).     Hall   opposite  post  office,   on   Second 

street. 
The  Odd  Fellows'  Beneficial  Association  of  Southern  Massachusetts  has  its  head- 
quarters in  this  city. 
The  headquarters  for  the  Fifth  regiment,  Patriarchs  Militant,  L  O.  O.  F.,  of  which 

Lieut.  Col.  C.  H.  Holden,  of  New  Bedford,  is  commander,  is  in  this  city. 
Cambridge  Patriarchie,  No.  15,  G.  U.  O.  of  O.  F.,  New  Bedford  division  (colored). 
Hall  opposite  post  office,  on  Second  street. 
Grand  Army  Republic.    William  Logan  Rodman  Post,  No.  1.     G.  A.  R.  hall. 
Purchase  street. 
R.  A.  Pierce  Post,  No.  190.     Knights  of  Honor  hall,  Union  street. 
R.  G.  Shaw  Post,  No.  146  (colored).     Neptune   hall,  corner  Market  and  Pleasant 
streets. 
Red  Men.     Potomska  Stanim,  No.  182  (German),  Independent  Order  of  Red  Men. 
Germania  house.  North  Second  street. 
New  England  Encampment,  No.  19    (German),  Independent  Order  of  Red  Men. 

Germania  house,  North  Second  street. 
Sipi)ican  Tribe,  No.  77,  Improved  Order  of  Red  Men.     Kniglits  of  Pythias  hall, 
Purchase  street. 
Knights  of  Honor.     New  Bedford  Lodge.  No.  667.     Knights  of  IN. nor  hall,  Union 
street. 
Protection  Lodge,  No.  3144.     Temperance  hall,  Hicks  buikling,  Purchase  street. 
Knights  of  Pvtiiias.     Union  Lodge.  No.  7,  K.  of  P.    Knights  of  Pylhias  hall,  Wing 
building.  Purchase  street. 
Carson  Division,  No.  10,  U.  R.  K.  of  P.    Knights  of  Pythias  hail,  Wing  liuilding. 
Purchase  street. 
Good   Fellows.     Prudential  Assembly,  No.  118,  R.  S.  G.  F.     Knights   of    Honor 

hall.  Union  street. 
0rdei{  of  the  Ikon  Hall.     Local  Branch,  No.  195.     Cliina  hall.  I'nnliase  street. 

Local  Branch,  No.  297  ((Jerman).     China  hail,  Purch.ise  street. 
Temple  of  Honol-.       Pilgrim  Temple,   No.  Xi.     'I'emperance  liall.    IlieUs  huilding. 
Purchase  street. 
Pilgrim  Council.  Xo.  7.     Hicks  l)ulldiiig,  Purchase  street. 
Good  Templars.     Orient   Lodge,  No.  17.3,  I.  O.  G.  T.     china  hiili.  runhase  street. 
Liberty  Lodge,  No.  48,  I.  O.  G.  T.     Temperance  ball,   lli.ks   building.  I'ureliase 
street. 
Sons  of  Teaiperance.     .Xcuslmet   Division.  N'o.  S7.      Temperance  liall,  iii.k-  Imild- 

ing,  Purchase  street. 
New    P.edfok'D   Order   of    Protection.     iJay  State    Lodge,  No.  .V.t.     Knights  of 

Honor  liall.  Union  street. 
Sons  of  St.  George.     Gordon  Lodge,  No.  172.     China  hall,  I'luchase  street. 


3o8 


NEW    BEDFORD. 


Anciknt  Okoer  of  Fokksteks.  Court  Royal  Oak,  No.  6448.  Spinners'  hall,  cor- 
ner of  Union  and  Water  streets. 

Ancient  Okdek  of  Hiheknians.  Division  No.  7.  Neptune  hall,  corner  of  Pleasant 
and  Market  streets. 

BiuTi.sii  American  Association.     Branch  No.  5.     China  Hall,  Purchase  street. 

OuDEU  of  Elks.  New  Bedford  Lodge,  No.  73,  B.  P.  O.  Elks.  Elks'  hall,  corner 
Union  and  Fourth  streets. 


PROPOSED  ODD  FELLOWS'   BUILDING. 

Union  Veteran  Leoion.    Encampment  No.  10.     G.  A.  K.  hall,  Purchase  street. 
Sons   of  Veterans.    John  A.  Hawes  Camp,  No.  35,  Division  of  Massachusetts. 

G.  A.  R.  hall.  Purchase  street. 
Woman's  Relief  Corps.     William  Logan  Kodmau  Woman's  Relief  Corps,  No.  53. 

G.  A.  R.  hall.  Purchase  street. 


A    DIVERSITY    OF    SUBJECTS.  3O9 


Loyal  Knights  and  Ladies.     Court  Themis.     Knights  of  Honor  hall,  Union  street. 
Knights  and  Ladies  of  Honor.     Sterling  T^odge,   Xo.   1222.    Temperance  hall, 

Hicks  building,  Purchase  street. 
Legion  of  Honor.     Xew  Bedford  Council,  No.  816.  A.  L.  of  H.     Temperance  hall. 

Hicks  building,  Purchase  street. 
United  Endowment  Associates.     Pioneer  Lodge,  No.    IG.     Knights  of  Honor 

hall.  Union  street.  \ 

Order  of  United  Friends.     Washington  Council,  No.  121.     China  hall,  Purchase 

street. 
United  Order  of  Pilgrim  Fathers.     British  Colony,  No.  29.     China  hall,   Pur- 
chase street. 
Royal  Arcanum.    Omega  Council,  No.  683.     Knights  of  Honor  hall,  Union  street. 
Labor  Organizations.    Local   Branch,  No.   17,  American   Flint  Glass   Workers' 
Union.     Neptune  hall,  corner  of  Market  and  Pleasant  streets. 
Glass  Cutters"  Union.     Ward  room  on  Sherman  street. 
New  Bedford  Branch  of  the  New  England  Lasters"  Union.     Neptune  hall,  corner 

of  Pleasant  and  Market  streets. 
Edge  Makers'  Union.    Homes  of  members. 
Level  Union,  No.  409,  United  Brotherhood  of  Carpenters  and  Joiners.     China  hall, 

Purchase  street. 
Spinners"   Union.     Spinners"  hall,  corner  of  Union  and  Water  streets. 
Miscellaneous  Societies.    New  Bedford  Printers"  Benefit  Association.     Bancroft 
house,  Union  street. 
Provision  Clerks'  Association.     Y.  M.  C.  A.  rooms,  William  street. 
St.  Lawrence  Catholic  Temperance  Society.     Neptune  hall,  corner  of  Market  and 

Pleasant  streets. 
Socialist  Club.     Edgerton  hall,  corner  of  Linden  and  Purchase  streets. 
Parnell  Branch,  Irish  National  League.     Neptune  hall,  corner  of  Market  and  Pleas- 
ant streets. 
New  Bedford  Literary  Association.     Neptune  hall,  corner  of  Market  ami  Pb-asant 

streets. 
New  Bedford  Society  for  Medical  Improvement.     At  the  homes  (if  mcmbi'rs. 
Ladies"  Independent  Association  (auxiliary  to  IJ.  A.  I'inve  P()>t.  l'J(»).     Masonic 

building.  Union  street. 
New  Bedford  Firemen's  Beneficial  Association.     Central  .•iimjih-  bou-c   Pun'hase 

street. 
Bread,  Cake,  and  Cracker  Bakers'    licneficial  Association.     <  bina  b.ili.   Purchase 

street. 
L'Union  Ouvriere  (French).     Over  PMgerton's  ball,  rnrcbase  street. 
Club  of  French  Xaturali/ation.     Wamsutta  hall,    i'urcbase  street. 
Cesko  Slovanky  Podpornjici  Spolek,  No.  85  (Bohemian).     Bohemian  ball,  liow.litcb 

street. 
Young  Men's  Total  Abstinence  &  Benefii-ial  Society.     No.  i:{7  liiioii  street. 
Rose  of  Sharon  Beneficial  Society    (colored).     Salem  Baptist  chiircb.  Sixtli  street. 
Y'oung  Men's  Protestant  Temperance  and  Benevolent   Society.     Hall  over  Boston 

store,  Purchase  street. 
Firemen"s  Mutual  Aid  Society.     Central  engine  house.  Purchase  street. 
Natural  History  Associates. 
High  School  Alumni. 


3IO 


NEW    BEDFORD. 


The  Wamsutta  Club,  a  flourishing  social  organization  of  gentle- 
men, occupies  pleasant  rooms  in  the  Masonic  building  on  the  north  side 
of  Union  street,  west  of  Purchase.  Nearly  opposite,  in  Ricketson 
block,  is  the  attractive  home  of  the  Dartmouth  Club,  composed 
chiefly  of  young  business  men.  The  South  End  Athletic  Club  has 
rooms  on  Union  street.  This  club  combines  the  social  with  the  physi- 
cal in  its  scheme  of  operation.  The  Plymouth  Club  has  headquarters 
in  Music  Hall.  The  "Chronometer  Club"  is  the  name  applied  to  a 
group  of  retired  w^haling  captains,  who  daily  gather  at  rooms  in  the 
Robeson  building,  where  they  mingle  with  stories  of  the  deep  ani- 


NEW    BEDFORD  YACHT    CLUB    HOUSE. 

mated  discussions  of  current  topics.  But  their  number  is  decreasing 
now. 

The  state  militia  is  now  represented  by  the  City  Guards,  which 
is  known  officially  as  Co.  E  of  the  First  Regiment  of  Massachusetts 
Infantry.  This  company  has  a  long  and  honorable  history,  and  at 
this  day  is  in  a  state  of  unexceptional  efficiency.  Its  captain  is 
William  Sanders  and  its  first  and  second  lieutenants  are  Richard  H. 
Morgan  and  Arthur  E.  Perry.  The  French  Zouaves  is  a  company 
composed  of  young  French  residents,  and  is  not  connected  with  the 
state  militia.     Its  captain  is  Dr.  L.  Z.  Normandin. 

A  military  company  of  pupils  of  the  High  school  has  been  in 
existence  for  several  years  under  the  title  of  The  High  School  Cadets. 
The  company  is  now  commanded  by  John  Holt.  The  course  of 
instruction  for  the  boys  in  the  school  now  includes  the  military  drill. 


A    DIVERSITY    OF    SUBJECTS.  3II 


The  South  Bristol  Farmers'  Chib  has  its  winter  meetings  in  this 
city,  though  its  members  include  residents  of  all  the  adjoining  towns. 
Its  membership  is  large  and  active,  and  it  has  done  a  good  work  for 
agriculture  in  the  southern  part  of  Bristol  county.  Its  annual  fairs 
are  second  only  to  those  of  the  Board  of  Trade.  Hon.  A.  Frankly n 
Howland  is  the  president. 

Eleven  schooners,  thirty-two  sloops,  one  steamer,  and  one  vawl 
are  now  enrolled  in  the  New  Bedford  Yacht  Club.  Its  attractive  house 
on  the  south  side  of  the  New  Bedford  and  Fairhaven  bridge  is  a 
favorite  resort  for  the  members  and  their  friends  during  the  summer. 
The  waters  of  the  river  and  bay  are  peculiarly  adapted  to  the  pleas- 
ures of  yachting,  and  it  is  not  surprising  that  the  club  is  a  vigorous 
organization.     Its  officers  are  : 

Commodore — Richard  H.  Morgan. 

Vice  commodore  —  Edgar  B.  Hammond. 

Rear  commodore  —  Nathaniel  Hathaway. 

Secretary — John  W.  Nickerson,  Jr. 

Treasurer  — E.  Stanley  Wills. 

Measurer  —  Henry  F.  Hammond. 

Directors — James  A.  Barnes,  Horace  Wood.  John  C.  Rhodes, 
Benjamin  H.  Anthony,  Albert  W.  Holmes,  Richard  S.  Taber, 
William  N.  Church,  Jr.,  George  M.  Crapo,  George  W.  Parker, 
Edward  M.  Whitney,  Lewis  S.  Richardson. 

The  city  has  the  telegraphic  service  of  the  Western  Union  Tele- 
graph Company,  with  an  office  at  the  southeast  corner  of  Water  and 
Centre  streets  ;  of  the  Postal  Cable  Telegraph  Company,  with  an 
office  at  No.  4  North  Second  street ;  and  of  the  Mutual  Union  Tele- 
graph Company,  with  an  office  at  the  northwest  corner  of  William 
and  North  Second  streets. 

The  Southern  Massachusetts  Telephone  Company,  which  con- 
trols the  telephone  system  of  this  section  of  the  state,  has  its  head- 
quarters in  New  Bedford.  Its  president  is  Ciiarles  W.  ClilVord,  its 
treasurer,  Samuel  I  vers,  and  its  manager,  Moses  I*^.  Hatch.  In  New 
Bedford  about  seven  hundred  filtv  telej'ihones  are  in  use. 

Express  facilities  are  furnished  by  Match  &  Company's  line, 
which  was  established  in  1840  by  Col.  A.  D.  Ilatcii  and  is  one  of 
the  oldest  express  companies  in  the  country  ;  and  by  Allen's  New 
York  &  Boston  express.  The  former  is  now  running  in  connection 
with  the  New  York  and  Boston  Despatch  Express  Company,  and 
it  is  the   only   company   that   forwards   express   matter  on   passenger 


312 


NEW    BEDFORD. 


trains.     The  New  England  Despatch  Connpany  also  has  an  office  ; 
William  H.  Thing  is  manager. 

The  Union  Street  Railway  Company,  which  controls  all  the 
street  railway  track  in  the  city,  is  the  result  of  a  consolidation  of  two 
rival  corporations.  Its  tracks  reach  everj^  section  of  the  city,  and  its 
cars  make  frequent  trips  in  every  direction.  Lines  run  to  Fairhaven 
and  to  Acushnet  village,  andin  thesummer  cars  are  run  to  Woodlawn 
grove,  located  on  Clark's  point.  The  capital  stock  of  the  corpora- 
tion is  $260,000,  and  the  officers  are  : 

President — Samuel  C.  Hart. 

Treasurer  —  Andrew  G.  Pierce. 

Clerk  — Charles  H.  Gifford. 

Directors  —  The  above  and  Jonathan  Bourne,  "William  W.  Crapo, 
Weston  Rowland,  J.  i\rthur  Beauvais,  Charles  E.  Cook,  Abbott  P. 
Smith. 

The  New  Bedford  post  office  does  a  larger  business  than  is  usual 
in  places  of  the  size  of  New  Bedford.  Its  receipts  for  the  \^ear  1888 
were  $42,296.86.  During  that  period  the  letter  carriers  handled 
4,693,664  pieces  of  mail  matter.  The  money  order  transactions 
amounted  to  $190,224.74.  The  working  force  of  the  office  includes 
the  postmaster,  assistant  postmaster,  nine  clerks,  sixteen  letter  car- 
riers, and  two  substitute  letter  carriers.  Albert  H.  W.  Carpenter  is 
the  present  postmaster. 

In  spite  of  the  decline  of  whaling,  the  port  of  New  Bedford  is 
still  the  scene  of  great  activity,  and  it  is  true  that  the  tonnage  of  ves- 
sels arriving  and  departing  in  a  year  far  exceeds  that  of  the  palmiest 
days  of  the  whaling  industry.  Records  kept  at  the  custom  house 
show  that  during  the  year  1888  the  number  of  arrivals  at  this  port 
was  as  follows  : 

Ships 1 

Barks 13 

Brigs 2 

Schooners 809 

Sloops 29 

Barges     -10 

Steamers     "08 

1772 
The  total  tonnage    of  these    vessels    was    564,363    tons.     The 
list  does  not  include  yachts  or  fishermen.     The  largest  item   in  the 
coastwise  business  at  present  is  the  coal  trade,  which  has  been  re- 
ferred to  in  another  part  of  this  volume. 


A    DIVERSITY    OF    SUBJECTS.  313 


New  Bedford  now  has  in  the  foreign  trade  one  ship,  of  822.19 
tons,  three  barks,  aggregating  2795.79  tons,  and  two  schooners, 
together  measuring  360.65  tons.  Her  coasting  fleet  is  divided  as 
follows  : 

Number.  Tonnage. 

Steamers,     10 2925.11 

Schooners, 40 7048.82 

Sloops, 13 143.28 

There  are  also  fifteen  fishing  schooners,  aggregating  363.28  tons, 
and  twenty-two  fishing  sloops,  whose  united  tonnage  is  210.17  tons. 

As  a  last  word  about  the  growth  of  New  Bedford,  it  may  be  said 
that  good  judges  anticipate  an  increase  of  five  thousand  in  the  popu- 
lation in  the  next  two  years,  as  a  result  of  the  new  manufacturing 
enterprises  that  are  now  assured. 

The  approaches  to  New  Bedford  are  by  both  land  and  water, 
railroad  and  steamboat  lines  uniting  to  render  transportation  to  and 
from  her  limits  pleasing  and  eftective.  The  railway  service  is  entirely 
by  the  Old  Colony  railroad  system  ;  but  so  numerous  are  the  routes, 
so  thorough  the  establishment,  and  so  complete  the  provision,  that  it 
would  really  seem  that  no  possible,  or  practicable,  avenue  of  approach 
has  been  overlooked  or  ignored.  Passengers  from  New  York,  Boston, 
Providence,  and  the  vast  regions  of  country  that  must  make  these 
centres  their  gateways  in  visiting  localities  in  southeastern  Massachu- 
setts, find  railroad  lines  arranged  with  direct  reference  to  New  Bed- 
ford as  a  terminal  point ;  while  the  summer  resorts  of  New  England 
—  the  White  mountains,  the  Maine  seashore  and  inland.  Mount  De- 
sert and  Campobello,  the  eastern  shores  of  Massachusetts,  Plymouth 
and  the  Old  Colony,  Newport  and  its  surroundings,  etc — have  each 
a  special  service  in  connection  with  this  city,  designed  to  meet  the 
demands  of  her  interests,  and  which  ministers  directly  to  the  business, 
economic,  and  domestic  departments  of  her  existence.  The  water 
service  of  the  New  Bedford,  Martha's  Vineyard,  and  Nantucket 
Steamboat  Company  is  in  the  way  of  connecting  the  city  intimately 
with  Woods  Holl,  Martha's  Vineyard,  and  Nantucket,  and  in  the 
summer  time  furnishing  the  most  delightful  excursions,  that  are  at 
the  same  time  transportation  agencies,  along  the  southern  Massa- 
chusetts shores,  over  the  waters  most  attractive  and  inlerestmg  in  her 
neighborhood,  and  among  scenes  and  to  points  that  have  become 
famous  throuijhout  the  length  and  breadtii  of  the  land.     The  com- 


A    DIVERSITY    OF    SUBJECTS.  315 

pany  has  four  fine  boats  constantly  in  service  during  the  summer, 
and  the  facilities  for  making  excursions  from  New  Bedford  are 
excellent.  This  city  has  also  direct  water  communication  with  New 
York,  a  freighting  steamer  of  the  Old  Colony  Steamboat  Company 
(New  Bedford  line)  plying  constantly  between  the  two  ports  via  Long 
Island  sound,  thus  securing  first  class  freight  transportation  at  the 
lowest  rates  and  by  shortest  route,  and  facilities  that  she  may  call 
peculiarly  her  own,  since  they  are  established  and  maintained  to 
minister  to  her  wants  alone.  By  railroad  one  may  reach  or  leave 
New  Bedford  by  three  separate  and  distinct  routes,  all  branches  or 
feeders  of  the  Old  Colony  system,  as  outlined  in  the  sentences  pre- 
ceding this.  The  Fall  River  branch  connects  this  city  with  Fall 
River,  a  short  piece  of  road  (fourteen  miles)  running  through  West- 
port  and  Dartmouth  villages,  and  of  great  utility,  both  as  a  passen- 
ger and  freighting  line.  Besides,  connection  is  had  with  Fall  River 
over  the  branch  running  from  that  city  via  Myricks  ;  and  connecting 
with  direct  line  between  New  Bedford  and  Taunton.  The  steam- 
boat trains  of  the  Fall  River  line  from  Boston  run  via  Taunton  and 
Weir  Junction  to  Fall  River,  and  the  Northern  division  of  the  Old 
Colony  system,  that  connects  the  same  with  Framingham,  Lowell, 
Fitchburg,  and  the  White  mountain  region,  forms  junction  with  the 
s^'stem  south  of  Boston,  also  at  Taunton  ;  and  being  continued  there- 
from via  Myricks  to  the  seacoast,  finds  terminus  in  New  Bedford. 
Approaching  the  city  by  rail  from  the  eastward,  a  branch  leaves 
the  Cape  Cod  division  of  the  Old  Colony  system  at  Tremont, 
and  passing  through  Marion  and  Mattapoisett  has  a  terminus  in  Fair- 
haven,  opposite  New  Bedford;  and  from  the  Fairhaven  station  the 
communication  is  of  the  shortest,  by  bridge  and  street  cars,  or  the 
ordinary  methods  of  city  transportation.  The  Northern  division  of 
the  Old  Colony  railroad,  practically  a  continuation  of  the  line  which, 
leaving  New  Bedford  as  a  starting  point,  passes  via  Taunton  to 
South  Framingham,  Lowell,  etc.,  crosses  the  Boston  &  Providence 
railroad  at  Mansfield.  An  available  route  for  Boston  passengers  to 
and  from  New  Bedford  is  via  Mansfield  and  the  Boston  &  Providence 
tracks  to  the  station  of  that  railroad  in  Boston.  Passengers  for  New 
York  via  the  Fall  River  line  may  avail  themselves  of  either  of  the  three 
routes  to  Fall  River  indicated  above,  according  to  their  desircvs  as  to 
time  of  arrival  in  Fall  River  ;  and  the  same  may  be  said  of  travel  to 


A    DIVERSITY    OF    SUBJECTS.  317 

Newport  from  New  Bedford.  In  summer  time  the  coasts  and  water- 
ing places  from  Newport,  R.  I.,  awa}-  round  to  Portsmouth,  N.  H., 
are  within  reach  of  New  Bedford  of  a  morning;  and  it  is  almost 
literally  true  that  one  may  leave  this  city  by  a  morning  train  and 
visit  any  place  within  the  above  mentioned  limits  and  return  to  his 
starting  place  before  bedtime  of  the  same  day.  The  Mattapoisett 
and  Marion  shores,  Onset  and  Onset  bay,  the  Buzzards  bay  shores, 
Monument  and  Falmouth  villages.  Woods  HoU,  Martha's  Vineyard, 
Nantucket,  all  the  shore  points  and  towns,  outer  and  inner,  of  Cape 
Cod,  Plymouth,  and  Duxbury,  the  South  Shore,  Cohasset,  Hingham, 
and  Nantasket  beach,  and  all  the  north  shore  with  its  wealth  of 
scenery  and  associations,  certainly  come  within  this  possibility.  All 
the  localities  thus  included  are  to  be  reached  by  rail  from  New 
Bedford,  and  the  round  trip  made  in  a  single  day,  except  the 
islands  referred  to  ;  and  the  steamboat  service  which  brings  them 
within  reach  is  so  thorough  and  adequate  that  the  passenger  may 
visit  them  and  return  also  within  the  sunlight  hours  of  a  single  da3^ 
Modern  methods  of  travel  have  indeed  annihilated  space,  and  with 
all  these  beautiful  scenes  and  situations  within,  as  it  were,  a  stone's 
throw  of  this  city,  there  is  small  need  to  insist  that  New  Bedford  her- 
self, in  her  immediate  surroundings  and  approaches,  is  possessed  of 
advantages  and  attractions  of  the  highest  order.  Yet  such  truly  is 
the  case.  Wherever  a  glimpse  even  of  her  unrivalled  water  views 
can  be  obtained  by  the  passenger  approaching  her  outskirts,  the 
result  of  enthusiastic  delight  is  sure  to  ensue  ;  and  if  these  glimpses 
can  be  multiplied,  —  as  they  are  in  many  of  the  railroad  situations, — 
or  broadened  into  varying  extended  outlooks, —  as  takes  place  upon 
any  of  the  water  approaches,  and  often  upon  the  land  routes, — 
the  pleasure  is  deepened  and  the  attractiveness  of  the  place  becomes  a 
permanent  feature.  There  are  some  grand  old  woods,  too,  in  the 
New  Bedford  neighborhood,  and  landscape  presentations  often  includ- 
ing these,  which  are  of  fairest  qualities.  The  drives  about  this  city 
are  among  and  through  these  scenes  ;  and  mankind  lias  occupied, 
and  his  hand  has  reclaimed  and  beautified  and  artistically  built  upon 
their  sites,  so  that  all  roads  and  routes  leading  hilherward  are  full  of 
interest,  while  they  are  also  beneficent  establishments  for  human 
needs.  The  service  by  these  railroad  and  steamboat  lines  is  designed 
to  meet  every  want  of  this  city  connected  with  the  department  of 


3l8  NEW    BEDFORD. 


transportation.  Trains  of  every  kind  are  frequent  and  timely,  and 
run  upon  a  basis  of  knowledge  of  the  situation  which  long  experi- 
ence has  supplied.  Facilities  increase  as  the  just  call  for  them  is 
extended,  and  by  land  and  water  no  city  is  better  served  than  New 
Bedford. 


WHARF  SCENE 


NEW    BEDFORD 


MASSACHUSETTS 


Leading  Industrial   and  Financial 


KNTERPRISKS 


NEW    BEDFORD. 


THE 


Merchants  National  Bank, 

OF  NEW  BEDFORD, 

56    NORTH    WATER    STREET. 
UNITED  STATES  DEPOSITORY. 
Incorporated,  1825. 


Capital  Stock,       -        -        -       $1,000,000 
Surplus  Fund,       -       -       -  $500,000 


OFFICEI^S  : 

PRESIDENT, 

JONATHAN  BOURNE. 

CASHIER, 

H.  C.  W.   MOSHER. 

DIRECTORS, 

Jonathan  Bourne,  Andrew  Hicks, 

George  F.  Bartlett,  William  R.  Wing, 

George  F.  Kingman,  Samuel  C.   HaRt, 

Thomas  H.   Knowles,  Gilbert  Allen, 

Francis  B.  Greene,  William  N.  Church, 

George  S.   Homer,  James  Delano. 


Discouint  Days,  Tuesdays  ai^d  Fridays. 

Ba-tvik  Hours,  9  to  1. 


LEADING    ENTERPRISES. 


Ill 


THE 

FIRST  NATIONAL  BANK, 

NEW    BEDFORD,    MASS. 
(Formerly  Marine  Bank.) 


Capital, 
Surplus. 


11,000,000 
$200,000 


DIRECTORS, 


LEM'L  KOLLOCK, 
ABRAM  T.  EDDY, 
W.  P.  WINSOR, 
WM.  WATKINS, 
T.  M.  STETSON, 


EDW.  S.  TABER, 
WM.  BAYLIES, 
EDW.  T.  PIERCE, 
HUMPHREY  W.  SEABl^RY, 
SAVORY  C.   II  ATI!  AW  AY, 


MATTHEW  LUCE. 


WM.  WATKINS,  Prcshfni/. 
W.  P.   WINSOR,    Cashier. 

GEO.  B.   HATHAWAY,    Teller. 

WM.   A.    MACKIE,    Book-keeper. 

FRANK  B.  CHASE,    n/seounl   C/erk. 
CHAS.  T.  SMl'l'II,  Colleetion  Clerk. 
W.   S.    HUiNT,   Mesuuoer. 


iv  NEW    BEDFORD. 


THE 


Mechanics  National  Bank 

Reorganized  in  IS 64:  from  the  Mechanics  Bank. 
Incorporated  in  1831. 


Capital  Stock,       -        -        -        $600,000 
Surplus,  .        .        .        -        $225,000 


OFFICEK.S. 

PRESIDENT, 
WM.  W.  CRAPO, 

VICE  PRESIDENT, 
ANDREW  G.  PIERCE. 

CASHIER, 
JAMES  W.  HERVEY. 

ASST  CASHIER, 
LEMUEL  T.  TERRY. 

DIRECTORS, 

WM.  W.  CTtAPO,  HOKATIO  HATHAWAY, 

ANDREW  G.  PIERCE,  LOUM  SNOW, 

JOHN  R.  THORNTON,  EDWARD  D.  SIANDELE, 

JIREH  SWIFT,  E.  WILLIAMS  HERVEY, 

THOMAS  WILCOX,  EDWARD  KILBURN, 

HENRY  C.  DENISON. 


Discount  Days,  Wednesdays  and  Saturdays. 

BANK     HOURS,  9  a.  m.  to  I   p.  m. 

LOCATION, 

No.  62   NORTH    WATER  STREET, 

FOOT  OF  WILLIAM. 


LEADING    ENTERPRISES. 


NATIONAL  BANK  OF  COiMMERCE, 

OF  NEW  BEDFORD. 

No.  37  North  Water  Street. 

Incorporated  in  1S03. 
Reorganized  in  ISOA. 

Capital,       =      =        $1,000,000 


OFFICERS. 

PRESIDENT, 

FRANCIS  HATHAWAY. 

VICE  PRESIDENT, 

W.  C.  N.  SWIFT. 

CASHIER, 

JAMES  H.  TALLMAN. 

DIRECTORS. 

FHANCIS  HATHAWAY,  OLI\  KK   1M;KS0)TT, 

VVM.  C.  N.  SWIFT,  CHAKI.KS  W.   I'LrMMKH, 

HENRY  TABEK,  WALTKIJ  r|.lKF<  )i;i), 

WM.  .F.  RO'IVH,  MOKiiAN    llo'lVil, 

CHAltLES  W.  CLIFFORD,  O'l'IS  N.   IMKIM  K, 

WM.  A.  ROBINSON,  .lO.^Kl'll   V.   KNOWI.KS, 

FREDERICK  SWIFT,  Will.!  AM    D.   lloWLANH. 

MANLY  IJ.  ADAMS. 


Discount  Days,  Mondays   and  Thursdays. 

BanLl-c  HoLirs,  fronm  O  l\.  iii.  to  1   p.  iii- 


NEW    BEDFORD. 


TH 


No.  38  North  Water  Street. 

CAPITAL,  $500,000. 
SURPLUS   AND   PROFITS,   |150,000. 


Transacts  a  general  Banking  Business  and  solicits  the  accounts  of  Banks, 
Corporations,  and  Individuals. 

Fire  and  Burglar  Proof  Vault  with  Safe  Deposit  Boxes  for  the  use  of  customers. 

Executes  orders  for  Investment  Securities.  Coupons  and  Dividends  collected 
without  charge. 


DIRECTORS, 


J.  A.  BEAUVAIS, 
JOHN  P.  KNOWLES, 
WM.  J.  KILBUEN, 
CHAPtLES  TUCKER, 

J.  A.  BEAUVAIS,  President. 


FPtED.  S.  POTTER, 
OLIVER  P.  BRIGHTMAN, 
DAVID  B.  KEMPTON, 
CYRENIUS  W.  HASKINS. 

E.  S.  BROWN,  Cashier. 


Sankord  &  Kkluecy, 

Bankers,  Brokers,  and  Stock  Auctioneers, 

47  North  Water  Street,  New  Bedford,  Mass. 

Members  Boston  Stock  Exchange.  INVESTMENT  SECURITIES  A  SPECIALTY. 

Sole  agents  for  Sew  Bedford  and  vicinity,  for  the  .-^ale  of  the 

Lombard  Investment  Connpany's  First  IVIortgage  Guaranteed  Loans. 

This  company  is  the  Ohlest,  Strongest,  and  most  Reliable  doing  Western  Loan  business  in  the 

United  States.    Thirty  million  dollars   of  loans  sold,  more  than  one  half  of  which  has  become  due 

and  been  promptly  paid.    Guaranty  about  $3,000,000. 

Private  wire  connectingour  office  with  New  York  and  Boston. 
Auction  sale  of  Stocks  and  Bonds  Saturdays,  at  10.4.5  a.  m. 


ESTABLISHED    1829. 

W.  A.  ROBINSON  &  CO., 

"  SPERM  CANDLES,  OIL  SOAP,  ETC. 

Also,  Commission  Merchants    and  Dealers  in  Eard,  Red,  Paraffine,  and  Coal 
Oils;  Potato,  Wheat,  and  Corn  Starch;  Cotton  Goods,  &c. 

No.  lo  SOUTH  WATER  ST.,  PROVIDENCE.  R.  I. 

AND 

No.  144  SOUTH  WATER  ST.,  NEW  BEDFORD,  MASS. 


LEADING    ENTERPRISES. 


VI 1 


TlieNewBeH  Sale  Deposit  (STfusl  Co. 

61  WILLIAM  STREET,  COR.  ACUSHNET  AVENUE. 


FIDELITY. 


President, 
Charles  E,  Hendrickson, 

Cashier, 
Edmund  W.  Bourne. 

Directors, 
Charles  E.  Hendrickson, 
William  D.  Howlanil, 
Abbott  P.  Smith, 
Benjamin  P.  Brownell, 
Savorv  C.Hathawav, 
Lot  B"  Bates, 
Stephen  A.  Brownell, 
Stamlish  Bourne, 
Frederic  Taber, 
John  W.  Macoml)er, 
Lemuel  LeB.  Holmes, 
George  C.  Hatch. 


SECURITY. 

Paid    up    Capital, 
$100,000. 

Authorized  Capital, 
$500,000. 

TRANSACTS  A  GENERAL 

BANKING   BUSINESS 

SAME  AS  ANY  NATIONAL 

BANK, 

NOTES  DISCOUNTED. 
COLLECTIONS  MADE  ON 
"^^   ALL  AVAILABLE   POINTS. 


COMMENCED     BUSINESS    JUNE     28,    1888. 

OPEN  SATURDAY  EVENINGS  FROM  7.30  TO  9  O'CTOCK. 

BANKING     DEPARTIVIENT. 

Money  received  on  deposit  subject  to  check  on  presentation.  Excliange  on  New  England,  New 
York,  the  West,  and  California.  Interest  allowed  on  dailv  l)alances  without  limit  and  credited 
monthly.  Invites  the  accounts,  great  or  small,  of  Banks,  Bankers,  Corporations,  .Mniddpalitles, 
Town  Treasurers,  Manufacturers,  Firms,  Individuals  and  tliose  acting  in  any  ollicial  or  trust  capaci- 
ty, and  will  be  pleased  to  meet  or  corresi)ond  witli  any  wlio  ma>contcmidatc  making  changes  or 
opening  new  accounts.  Legally  authorized  to  receive  ami  liold  moiie\-  or  projiertv  in  trust  or  on  de- 
posit from  executors,  administrators,  assignees,  guardians,  etc. 

Discount  days  Mondays,  Wednesdays,  and  Fridays  at  !t  a.m. 

Apartment  exclusivelv  for  Ladies,  also  a  public  room  for  tientlemen. 

Banking  Hours  9  A.  m".  to  1  p.  M.  and  4  to  .'>  v.  M.    »i)-.Satnrdavs,  it  a.  m.  to  -i  v.  m.  an.l  T.:»o  to  n  i'.  m  . 


SAFE     BIND 
SAFE     FIND 


SAFE  DEPOSIT  DEPARTMENT. 


SAFE     BIND 
SAFE     FIND 


CHARLES  M.  HUSSEY,  Manager. 

The  vaults  of  this  companv  are  positivelv  lire,  l)urglar,  ami  nioli  iiroof  and  guarded  nlglit  and  dnv. 
In  the  vaults  are  individual  "safe  deposit  l)o.\es  for  rent  to  parties  wishing  ab.-olule  security  for  their 
valuables.  Price  ^10  to  SIOO  per  annum,  according  to  .size.  Less  time  at  less  rates.  T!iese  lioxes  re- 
quire the  master-kev  and  the  presence  of  the  Manager  of  tlie  safe  dei)osli  apartment  as  well  as  the 
renter  to  open.  One  cannot  without  tlie  other.  Patrons  may  remove  and  replace  their  boxes  as  often 
as  desired  during  business  hours.  .Separate  "coupon"  rooms  for  ladles  ami  gentlemen,  which  are 
strictly  private  and  free  and  jirovided  with  desks,  writing  materials,  etv.,  etc.  Storage  departnuMit 
for  furs,  silver  ware,  laces,  papers,  books  and  all  kinds  of  valuables  at  very  low  rates.  .\  conllal 
and  general  invitation  extended  to  either  .-^ex  to  call  ilurlng  business  hours  and  examine  our  -afeand 
rooms.     Business  hours  il  a.  M.  to  1  r.  M.  and  4  to  .'•.  p.  m.     .Saturdays  li  \.  m.  to'  p.  M.and  l.W  to  Itp.  M. 

We  particularlv  call  the  attention  of  families  who  ilurlng  the  summer  months  are  closing  their 
houses  and  leaving  the  city  to  our  admirable  facilities  for  the  s.ife  custody  of  plate  ami  other  valun 
bles  in  our  impregnable  lire,  burglar,  and  mob  pioof  vaults.    Charges  low  . 

A     iSOLID     INVESTMENT. 

Exclusive  agencv   for    Southern  Massachu-etts   for  tlu'  Mile  of   ihe 

6%  DEBENTURE  BONDS  and  7%  GUARANTEED  FARM  LOANS 


of  the   Ciiion    ln\  cslui.iit    (  ....   Kmm-m  -  (iiv  .  .\Io.     I'ald  up  .-ipH.'il   .^1  .inmi.ikmi,   , il\      •:,.|.Tn   -t..(k 

holilcrs.  These  bonds  arc  secured  liv  /.s7  tiiiis  of'  mil  est,it<  ,it  J  I  J  timis  tl,.  ir  iiii„.iihI  drpo-IK-d  with 
American  Loan  &  Trust  Co.,  Boston.  The  Farm  Loans  are  secured  In  the  -ame  nninner.  1-sued  and 
for  sale  in  sums  of  8100  and  upwards,  at  par  and  acciiied  Interest.  Coupons  .a-hed/rfr  by  uh. 
We  have  personallv  and  carefuUv  examined  these  properties  and  manner  of  negotiating  and  con- 
fidently believe  them  to  be  A  SAFE  AND   PHOFITABLE  INVESTMENT. 


Vlll 


NEW    BEDFORD. 


TILUNGHAST'><''ALDEN 


Successors  to  the  late  Joseph  S.  Tillinghast. 


.'^ 


.Co 
,5« 


I 


1 


Busmess  respectfully  solicited  and  policies  issued  at  this 
office  in  the  following  iiamed  companies  for  zvhich  we  are  the 
duly  authorized  agents: 


JEXnvi  Ins.  Co., 
Coiiiiecticiit  Fire  Ins.  Co., 
Spi'iii.<j:ficlil  Fire  &  Marine  Ins.  Co., 
Fire  Association, 
CoiitiiK'iital  Ins.  Co., 
Niajjcara  Fire  Ins.  Co., 
Williaiiisbiirj;-  City  Fire  Ins.  Co., 
Equital)le  Fire  &  Marine  Ins.  Co., 
Ko.  Britisli  and  ^Mercantile  Ins.  Co. 
PhoMiix  Assurance  Co., 
Imperial  Fire  Ins.  Co., 
Fitcliburg  Mutual  Fire  Ins.  Co., 


Hartford 

Hartford  Fire  Ins.  Co., 

Hartford 

Hartiord 

Meriden  Fire  Ins.  Co., 

Meriden 

Siirinuiit'ld 

Ins.  Co.  of  North  America, 

Philadelphia 

I'hiladeliiliia 

Home  Ins.  Co., 

New  York 

New  York 

German  American  Fire  Ins. 

Co., 

New  York 

Kew  York 

Hanover  Fire  Ins.  Co., 

New  York 

New  York 

American  Ins.  Co., 

Newark 

Providence 

Merchants  Ins.  Co., 

Providence 

,          London 

Guardian  Assurance  Co., 

Lonilon 

London 

Queen  Ins.  Co., 

Liverpool 

London 

City  of  London  Fire  Ins.  Co. 

London 

Fitchburg 

Dorchester  Mutual  Fire  Ins. 

Co., 

Boston 

LEADING    ENTERPRISES.  IX 


LAWRENCE  GRINNELL.  JOSHUA  C.   HITCH. 

LAWRENCE  GRINNELL  &  CO., 

FIRE  AND   MARINE,    LIFE,  AND   PLATE  GLASS 

INSURANCE, 

60  North  Water  St.,  foot  of  William, 

OVEB  MEOHAHIQg  NATIONAL  BANK.  NEW   BEDFORD. 


Agents  for  the  following 

Qamed  first  class  companies  : 

Liverpool  and  London  and  Globe  Insur- 

Britisli America  Assurance  Co.            Of  Toronto 

ance  Co. 

Of  LivLTi>o<)l 

Prcscott  Insurance  Go.                                   Boston 

American  Fire  Insurance  Co. 

New  York 

Haniburg-Brcmen  Fire  Insurance  Co.      Bremen 

Koyal  Insurance  Co. 

Liverpool 

Northern  Assurance  Co.                                London 

Providence  Washington  Ins.  Co. 

Providence 

Si)riTig  Garden                                       Philaclphia 

Commercial  Union  Assurance  Co. 

London 

North  American                                                Boston 

Merchants  Insurance  Co. 

Newark 

Mutual  Life  Insurance  Co.                      New  York 

Traders  Insurance  Co. 

Chicago 

I>loyds'  Plate  Glass  Insurance  Co.        New  York 

A.  M.  BROWNELL. 

|.   II.   Ml'RKLAND. 

Brownell  &  Murkland, 

Cootfactofs,  Buildefs,  (S  Granite  Dealefs, 

-45MILL  AND  HEAVY  BUILDING  A  SPECIALTY, •:^' 

Curbing,  Cellar,  &  Dimension  Stone. 

office:, 

Liberty     tlall     Buiilding,     K.oom     S, 

New  Bedford,  Mass. 


NEW    BEDFORD. 


SAMUEL  H.   COOK, 

"\Iarinc  &  Fire  Insurance 

AGENT    AND    BROKER, 

No.  37  North  Water  Street  (in  National  Bank  of  Commerce  Building), 

NEW    BEORORD,     MASS. 

WHALING  RISKS  AND  THEIK  OATOHINGS  A  SPECIALTY  AT  THIS  AGENOY. 

The  following  first  class  Eire  Insurance  Companies  are  represented,  viz : 

Hingham  Mutual  Fire  Insurance  Co.,  llinghani. 
Tlie  Liberty  Insurance  Co.  New  York        London  Assurance  Corporation,     London,  Eng. 

Pluenix  Insurance  Co.  Hartford        London  &  Lancashire  Insurance  Co.         London 

National  Fire  Insurance  Co.  Hartford        Norwich  LTuion  Fire  Insurance  Society,  England 

PlKcnix  Insurance  Co.  Brooklyn,  N.  Y.        New  Hampshii-e  Fire  Ins.  Co.   Manchester,  N.H. 

Pennsylvania  Fire  Insurance  Co.     Pliiladelphia        Westchester  Fire  Insurance  Co.  New  York 

American  Fire  Insurance  Co.  Philadelphia       Commerce  Insurance  Co.  Albany,  N.  Y. 

Tlie  Metropolitan  Plate  Glass  Insurance  Co.  of  New  York. 

NOTARY  PUBLIC.  JUSTICE  OF  THE  PEACE. 

Insurance  Scrip  Bought  and  Sold. 


NEW  BEDFORD  BOILER  AND  MACHINE  CO., 

■      JOSEPH  S.  LEY/IS.  HENRY  A.  HOLCOMB,  Treas. 

MANUFACTURERS    OF 

BOILERS#  MACHINERY 

OF  EVERY   DESCRIPTION. 

Repaimff  of  all  kinds  promptly  attended  to. 


WASTE,    MACHINE    BOLTS,    LAG  SCREWS,    BOLT    ENDS,    AND  RUBBER 
STEAM  PACKING  CONSTANTLY  ON   HAND. 

Steam  Heating  and  Fittings. 

24  KRONX  STREET, 

New  Bedford,  Mass. 


LEADING    ENTERPRISES. 


XI 


ESTABLISHED   1847. 


Charles  Taber  &  Co, 


New  Bedford,  Mass. 


Salesroom,  28  Bond  St.,  New  York. 


MANUFACTURERS  OF 


Artotype  Engravings, 

Photographs, 

Picture  Frames, 

Mouldings, 

Art  Novelties. 


NEW   bp:i)Ford. 


NEW  BEDFORD  COPPER  CO. 

MANUFACTURERS  OF 

Yellow  Metal  and  Copper 

SHEATHING, 

BRAZIERS',  DIMENSION,  AND  BOLT  ■ 

COPPER. 

Copper  Rollers  for  Calico  Printers. 


yellow  metal  bolts 

and  cut  nails,  etc. 

New  Bedford,  Mass. 

GILBERT  ALLEN,  Pres't.        WM.  H.  MATHEWS,  Treas. 


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XIV 


NEW    I5KDFORD. 


CHARLES  F.  BORDEN, 

Pattern  and  Model  Maker. 


ALSO,  MANTFACTrHER  OF  TIIK 


TREMONT-TURBINE   WATER   WHEEL, 

Wliicli  for  clicapiiess.  iluraljility.  ami  ixnver,  \m'  kimw  of  no  wlieel  that  e(|UaN. 

Gearing,  Shafting,  Iron  &  Wood  Pulleys. 

House  and  Cottage  Trim- 


mings. Store  Fronts,  Coun- 
ters, and  Wall  Cases. 
Bank  Counters  and  Desks 
Carving,  Planing,  Jig  Saw- 
ing, and  Turning  in  all  its 
branches. 

Wooden  Mantels  a  spec- 
ialty in  soft  or  hard  Wood. 

Also,  Book  Cases,  Side 
Boards,  Wash  Stands,  and 
Furniture  of  all  kinds. 

Stair  Builders'  Supplies : 
Newells,  Balusters,  and  Rails 
on  hand  and  made  to  order. 

Plans  for  the  above  specialties  furnished  at 
shoi-t  notice.  Estimates  given  and  satisfaction 
guaranteed  in  every  case. 

STONE  BUILDING,  SECOND  FLOOR, 

Cor.  of  So.  Water  and  Coffin  Sts.,  new  Bedford,  mass. 


LEADING    ENTERPRISES.  xV 


GREENE  &  WOOD, 


DEALERS  IN 


ALL  KINDS  OF  LUMBER, 


SPRUCE,    HEMLOCK,   PL\E,    c^o. 

In   large  variety.      Also  an  assortment  of  YELLOW  PINE  TIM- 
BER, PLANK,  STEPPING,  AND  FLOORING. 


We  carry  a  good  stock  of  HARD  WOOD  LUMBER  for  inside 
finish,  and  v\ith  our  new  improved  Hot  Blast  Dry  Kiln,  we  can 
furnish  the  choicest  Kiln  Dried  Moulding  and  Flooring. 


OUR  PLANING  MILL 

Recently  destroyed  by  tire,  has  been  entirely  rebuilt  and  \  cry  much 
enlarged,  and  with  Ne\\'  Maciiinkrv  we  are  jirepared  to  do  all 
varieties  of 

PLANING,  MOULDING,  SAWING,  AND  Tl'RNIXG. 

SPOOLS  AND  BOBBINS. 


GREENE  &  WOOD  are  again  prepared  to  make 
all  kinds  of  SPOOLS  AND  BOIililNS  for  cotton  ;ind  woolen 
mills  and  rope  works. 

A  new   mill   and  the  very  latest  imjiroved  machinery   afford  the  best 
facilities   for  good   work  and  promjn  deli\ery. 


XVI 


NEW    BEDFORD. 


"/rfe^ 


Xj.   J^.    XjITTI 

pine  Silver  Plated 


5IA>UFACTnRER    OF 


EIPIEXjID, 

piiie  Silver  Plated 


NOIM^DRIF' 


SUGAR  SIFTER  TOPS 


Factory,  Talliiiau's  BlocL  134  Union  Street 


Syrup  Jug  Tops, 

Bitter  Tubes, 
NOVELTIES.    &c. 

-     NEW  BEDFORD.  MASS. 


LEADING    ENTERPRISES. 


PAIRPOINT  MFG.  CO. 


E.  D.  MANDELL,  Pres't. 


FINE 


T.  A.  TRIPP,  Aqt.  and  Treas. 


OLD  i  im  PHTL 

For  sale  by  Leading  Jewellers  throughout  the  countrv. 


Re=platinL>;    riiK  I     Hei)c  li  ri  un- 
executed BY  SKILLED  MECHANICS. 

4i'Pactory,  Prospect  gtreet,    -    ]^eW  Bedford,  JVIass.--^ 


WAREROOMS  : 

At  Factory. 

20  Maiden  Lane,  New  York. 

90  AND  92  Wahasii  Avenue,  Chicago,   III. 

220  Luther  Street,  San  Francisco,  Cal 
Sydney,  Australia. 


XVlll 


NEW    BEDFORD. 


SMITH  BROS. 

A.  E.   SMITH.  H.  A.   SMITH. 


Fine  Decorated  Glassware 


^M^^'^ 


SP^ECIjPlLTIHIS  : 

Shades  of  every  Description,  Vases  in  Great  Variety,  Plaques, 

Tiles,  Salts,  Mustards,  Muffineers, 

Lamp  Goods,  &c. 

Works  and  Show  Rooms,  28  and  30  William  St, 

NEW    BEDFORD,    MASS. 


LEADING    ENTERPRISES.  XIX 

Dknison  Bros., 

FLOUR! 

CRMM  FLOUR,  MHNCS,  CORN, 

Feed,  Sliorls,  Etc. 


NO.  100  SOUTH  WATER  ST., 

AND   FOOT   OF   HILLMAN    STREET. 

iES"b"SSH.  NEW  BEDFORD,  MASS. 


THOMAS  M.  HART. 
JAMES  C.  BRIGG8. 
OLIVER  W.  COBB. 

Sa.il  MEakers  and   Sliip  CIiuikIIci-jbj. 

:■=-   ^     ^===  Manufacturers  of  all  kinds  of 


THOS.  M.  HART  &.  CO., 

iu<llei*i!!i. 

#     Tents,  Awnings,  Flags, 

STRAINERS, 

And  Press  Ba^s  for  Oil  Works. 


Canvas  Deck  Covers  and  Roof  Covers. 
Dealers  in  Duck,  Ropp,  and  Twine. 


Brownell,  Ashley  &  Co., 

MANUFACTURERS    OF 

Fine  Carriages, 

AND     DEALERS     IN     ALL     GRADES    AT     REPOSITORY, 

Nos.  24  and  38   Fourth   Street, 

NEW    BEOP^OKD,    M.\iSS. 


XX  NEW    BEDFORD. 


New  Bedford  Cordage  Co. 


ESTABLISHED   1842. 


MANLTKACTURERS    OI^ 


All  Kinds  and  Sizes  of 


CORDAGE 


DRILLING    CABLES 


For  Artesian  Wells  a  Specialty 


WILLIAM  J.   ROTCH,  President. 

J.  W.  MACOMBER,  General  Manager. 

I.  W.   BENJAMIN,  Treasurer. 


LEADING    ENTERPRISES.  XXI 


ESTABLISHED   IN  1850. 

THE  EVENING  STANDARD 

Is  one  of  the  large  newspapers  of  New  England  and  by  far  the  largest  and  most  widely  circu- 
lated of  any  newspaper  in  Southern  Massachusetts,  being  read  daily  by  about  25,000  people.  Its 
circulation  in  New  Bedford  and  vicinity  is  three  times  that  of  any  other  in  the  city.  Two  editions 
are  issued  daily  at  3  and  5  o'clock. 

Special  attention  is  given  to  its  news  department;  events  occurring  within  live  minutes  of  press 
times  are  chronicled  daily  in  its  columns. 

A  corps  of  wide  awake,  bright  men  are  constantly  on  the  outlook  for  fresh  and  newsy  happenings 
in  the  city  and  the  surrounding  cities  and  towns. 

The  Standard  publishes  the  full  telegraphic  service  of  tiie  Associated  Press,  received  direct  over 
its  own  private  wire  without  abridgment  or  mutilation,  and  this  is  supplemented  by  special  dis- 
patches from  its  own  correspondents. 

Republican  in  politics,  clean  in  tone,  and  with  crowded  news  columns,  the  Standard  enjoys 
a  wide  circulation. 

THE  REPUBLICAN  STANDARD  (WEEKLY) 

Is  the  favorite  home  journal  at  every  fireside  in  Southeastern  Massachu>etts  and  has  many  bright 
departments  as  features,  with  good  serials  an«l  miscellaneous  reaiiing. 

Connected  with  the  Standard,  occupying  one  entire  floor  of  the  liuil>ling,  is  a 

Larp  aiil  well  emed  M  Office,  Willi  Fast  Presses,  eyery  style  of  Type, 

line,  selectetl  stock  and  experienced  workmen.     Tlic  suiieriur  work  and  rca-oiiable  price- command 
orders  from  not  only  New  Bedford  and  vicinity  but  otlier  sections  of  New  Knghuid. 

In  its  own  Ijuilding  the  proprietors  have  more  men  at  tlieir  command  than  all  the  other  printing 
establisliments  in  the  city.    In  fact  it  is  liy  far  tlic  largest  in  Southern  .Massachusetts. 

EDMUND    ANTHONY    &    SONS,    Proprietors. 

GEORGE  DELANO'S  SONS, 

(Successors  to  Chas.  H.  Leonard  and  Lyles  it  rollianiii.-, 
MANUFACTUKKUS    OF 

Sperm,  Whale,  Sea  Elephant-Fish 

OILS, 

Patent  and  Plain  Sperm  and  Parakfine  Wax 

CANDLKS, 

Spermaceti,  Whale  and  Fish  Oil  Pressino's, 

SPERM    AND    WHALE    OIL   SOAL. 

S.   C.   L.  Delano,  New  York.    )  (At  F:utorv.  New  Bedford. 

V      OFFICES:    \  ^  .  V.         x-     .    /-. 

J.\MES  Delano,  New  Bedford.    )  (140  Front  Street,  New   \  ork  City. 


XXll  NEW    BEDFORD. 


THE  DAILY  MERCURY 

NEW  BEDFORD,  MASS. 

Publisher!  every  morning,  Sundays  excepted,  at  112  and  114  Union  street.  Thie  only  Morning 
Paper  published  in  Southern  Massachusetts.  The  prominent  feature  of  this  paper  is  the  local  news, 
which  is  not  excelled  by  that  of  any  competitor.  The  Mercury  has  the  telegraphic  report  of  the 
Associated  Press,  taken  in  its  own  ofHce  over  its  own  private  wire.  It  was  the  iirst  newspaper  in 
New  Bedford  to  adopt  this  method  of  receiving  telegraphic  news.  Its  miscellaneous  department  is 
always  fresh  and  bright.    Terms  $6  per  annum,  payable  semi-annually  in  advance. 

THE    NEW    BEDFORD    MERCURY. 

Established  1807.  Is  published  every  Wednesday,  containing  all  the  news  of  the  week.  A  large 
twelve-page  paper  of  seventy-two  columns,  one  of  "the  largest  weeklies  in  the  state,  at  $I..iO  per  an- 
num, in  advance.  It  is  full  of  the  most  interesting  reading  that  can  be  obtained,  and  is  rai)idly 
growing  in  popularity  and  circulation. 

BOTH  THESE  PAPERS  ARE  GOOD  ADVERTISING  MEDIUMS. 


This  book  was  printed  in  the  Mercury's  Book  and  Job  Department,  where 
printing  in  all  its  branches  is  promptly  executed  in  a  first-class  manner  by 
the  best  of  workmen  and  machinery,  and  with  new  and  handsome  type. 

S.  W.  BOOTH,  W.  E.  CHASE,  W.  L.   SAYER, 
Publishers  and  Printers. 


WM.   H.   WASHBURN, 

Manufacturer  of 

Gutters,    Rakes,   Mouldings, 

WINDOW  AND  DOOR  PRAMES,  DOORS,  SASHES,  AND  BLINDS. 

House  and  Cottage  Trimmings,       Balusters  and  Brackets, 
Newels  and  Inside  Shutters. 

Odd  Size  Sashes  and  Doors  Made  to  Order. 

special  attention  given  to  Planing^  Turning,  Scroll  and  Circular 
Sawing,  Pattern  Making  and  all  kinds  of  yobbing. 

No.  149  Mi  m  M\  -  -  NEW  BEDFORD, 

Hard  Wood  and  all  kinds  of  Pine  Lumber  constantly  on  hand. 


LEADING    ENTERPRISES. 


FINE    CARRIAGES. 

GEORGE   L  BROWNELL 

OFFERS  FOR  SALE  AT  HIS 

i 

Carriage  Manufactory  &  Repositories, 

COR.  ACUSHNET  AVE.  AND  CANNON  ST., 

NEW  BEDFORD,  MASS. 


A    FINE    assortment    of   Carriages,    namely:     Landaus,    Coaches, 

'*      Coupe  Victorias,   Coupe   Rockaways,    Extension   and   Standing 

Top  Family  Carryalls,  Phaetons,  Goddard   Box  Top   Buggies,   Open 

Road  and  Business  Wagons.      Also  a  very  large  assortment  of 

SECOND  HAND  CARRIAGES  OF  ALL  DESCRIPTIONS 

Which  will  be  sold  low. 

GILES  G.  BARKER.  Supt. 


XXIV 


LEADING    ENTERPRISES. 


GEO.  S.  HOMKR, 


MANUFACTURER    OF 


t'F 


LIJ.IJ., 


11     iijJj 


Ai  Blackfish  Oils 


Spermaceti,  Sperm  Candles, 


AND 


SPERM  AND  WHALE   OIL  SOAPS. 


OFFICE,    23    CE:MTK.E:    ST. 


FACTORIES, 


SOUTH,  PROSPECT,  AKD  FROKT  STREETS. 


LEADING    ENTERPRISES. 


JOHN   N.   MORRIS, 


m 


J,. 


CAPNTffl.ByiLDER,/IDAp 

Office  and   Shop,  73  Grinnell  Street, 

NKW  BEDFORD,  MASS. 


Plans  and  SpecifiGatdons  famished,  and  Contracts 
taken  for  any  work  in  these  departments. 

JOB  WORK  PROMPTLY  ATTENDED  TO. 

Coiiiiecteci     V,)v     Telephone. 


!!i''*!i!';Si!"!'f'"ii'r':r-:!!!!l!!*i,  '*^i'.  ;''S 


MANUFACTURERS &.  DEALERS  IN 

R\I>  T>4  AND C> I  l^>i . 

.P)  aIortH   rRONTc5)T, 

cMEW^EbFO^D,/V\A^SS. 

COFFIN     BROS.,        38  MIDDLE  STREET. 

Manufacturers  of  all  kinds  of  Plain,  Fancy,  and  Folding 

*PAPF,R  BOXMS* 


AND    DEALERS    IN 


Straw  Boards,  Papers,  and  Paste, 


NEW    HI<:i)FORD. 


rioTP 


ngKaviKg 

for^llJlLO^TKATIV^ 

r\AJ^dv'e^ti5ir\^"Pu^po5e^  • 

S&E>   THIS    "BOOK     FOf\    SPEClMLNS 


•A   F(  riA[\T   GbW   WlANAOtfl 
JOS    Tt^lPP    VlCl     PREb 


^:^K^^:n:^mMu:n:^^:^r^K^m^■^^;n:^^;^^!n:^^;^^!^^;^^;^^!■l^;■l^^■^^■^^^■^^^N^^^^:^^■^^^;^^!^^^^^■^^^'■■l^:^^;u^■^ 


LEADING    ENTERPRISES. 


THOMAS  B.  TRIPP, 


APPRAISER 


AND 


DEALER  IN  REAL  ESTATE 


SINCE  1H70. 


Any  information  in  reffard  to  Real  Estate  m 
the  City  or  Siirroiindinff  Towns  furnished  on 
application. 


Office,    325   CoLxnty   Str^<^t. 
Residence,  37  Allen  Street. 

New  Bedford,   Mass 


Xxvm  NEW    BEDFORD. 


New  Bedford  Mfg.  Co., 


NEW  BEDFORD,  MASS. 


High  Grade  Cotton  Yarns, 

Single  and  Twisted,  Combed  or  Carded. 

In  Chain  Warps  or  Balls, 

Skeins,  Spools,  and  Cops; 

Also  on  Beams. 


Number  of  Spindles,  37,056.       Capital,  $500,000. 


MORGAN  ROTCH,  President. 
WILLIAM  D.   HOWLAND,  Tre.\surer. 
BYRON  F.  CARD,  Agent. 


IDIPi.E:CTOR.S : 

Morgan  Rotch.  William  D.  Howland, 

Charles  W.   Plummer,  Oliver  P.   Brightman 

Charles  W.  Clifford,  Edward  T.   Pierce, 

George  F.   Kingman. 


LEADING    ENTERPRISES.  Xxix 

Rowland  Mills  Corporation, 

NEW  BEDFORD,  MASS. 

HIGH    GRADE    COTTON    YARNS, 

Single  and  Twisted,  Combed  or  Carded. 

HOSIERY    YARNS,    CHAIN    WARPS,    SKEINS,    SPOOLS, 
COPS.  AND  BEAMS. 

From   Nos.  &s  to  40^s. 

Mule  Spindles.  12.952. 
Frame        "  12.288. 

Twister      "  6,144, 


Capital,    $8oO,000. 


WILLIAM  J.   ROTCH,   I'kksidknt. 
WILLIAM   D.    nOWLAND.    Iuk.xsikku. 
BYRON  F.  CARD,   Acjknt. 

DIR-ECTOPiS  : 

WlI.I.lAM    I-     RoTCII.  HoUATlo    H  AIII  \\\   \^•, 

Thomas  B    Triit.  Chareks  W.  Cmkkord, 

Morgan   Rotch,  Ciiai<i.i:s  \V.    Pummku. 

William   D.    Howland. 


NEW    nEDKORD. 


Xkw  Bedford,  Mass. 

I'lie  Only  first-class  Hotel  in  the  City.     .Special  Rates  for  Commercial  ami  Tlieatrical  People. 

Also.  Proprietor  of  Sea  View  House,  Oak  Bluflfs,  >[artlia's  Vineyanl. 

HOLDER  iM.  BROWNELL,  Proprietor. 


LUSCOMB   &  COREY, 

Engineers  and  iVEachinists, 

Models,  Moulds,  Metal  Patterns,  Tools,  Dies,  Experimental 
Work,  Special   Machinery,  and 

GENERAL  FIRST   CLASS  MACHINE  WORK. 


Shafting,   Hangers,  and  Pulleys. 


Correspondence  Solicited. 


13  RODMAN  STREET,  NEW  BEDFORD. 

Telephone    S-6. 


POWER  FURNISHED  UP  TO  10 
HORSE  POWER. 


FRED.  S.  GIFFOED, 

MANAGER, 

P.  O.  Box  -295,  Kew  Bedford,  Mass. 

SEND     EOR     CIRCULAR. 


lp:ading  enterprises. 


The  Triumph  Heat  and  Light  Company, 

Factory,  Taber's  Wharf,  New  Bedford,  Mass. 
INCORPORATED  1888.  CAPITAL,  $500,000. 


1:DMUXD  RODMAN.  Pi{i>. 
JAMES  L.  GILLINGHAM.    ri.iA-. 


HOIiKiri'  B.  (  AlfSi.KV.  A(;i;m. 
GEOlJCiE  1).   lUioW'N.  SiiT. 


> 
O 


a- 

> 

Pi 


g6 


DIRECTORS  : 
EDMUND  RODMAN.  .lOSUlA    I!.   \VINS1.(»\\ 

JAMES  H.  MURKLAM).  I'ARDOX  (  Ol.'XKI.L. 

or.rvER  P.  HRKnn'MAN.  fkaxk  c.  sMi'ni. 

IJOBKirr   !!.  (  ARSLKV. 


x 


/ 


I'lic  Gas  Stc 

all  otliers.    Tl 


toves  manuta.tin.Ml  In  tlif  C..ini':<Hv  for  Cookingr  im.l  HeatlnR  an-  Mi|MTli.r 
t„  an  ..tners.  (W  l.unuMS  ^^  hen  us.-l  in  tin-  lirr  ,...t  of  »nv  ^t«'V<' "tMan^M-  ,.nMh,,-,.  h.-ut  j-.^ialh. 
■nnoiint  to  that  ol.tain.'.l  In.m  the  n-e  of  ...al.  Their  n^e  pro.hiee-  no  smoke,  dust  ashes  or 
dirt      Tlu-earrv^^^^^^^^  or  .•oul  anM  all  onllnary  lal.orof  n.akInK  an-l  ten.lh.K'  a  «  oo-l  orroni 

'""These'lun-^'h^rltn  oxami^  .-.e.l   I,  ex,.e.,- ,., un,e..  ..>  .hen.  a-  .nperlo,- 

to  all  others  now  in  uw. 


XXXll  T.EADING    ENTP:R  PR  ISES. 


New  Bedford,  Martha's  Vinejard  &  Nantuoket 

STEAMBOAT  CO- 

**********  T"^  ATT    X.''         T     T  TV'  TT^    ********** 
**********    I   )  Jr\.  T  J—/   1  J—/  J-  i  X  XZv .  **»»♦*»*»» 

From  June  to  October,  Four  Trips  Daily  and  Ex- 
cursion Tickets  sold.    Baggage  checked 
through  to  all  points. 

STEAMERS: 

Nantucket,  Martha's  Vineyard,  River 
Queen,  Monohansett,  Island  Home, 

Which   are  Staunch,   Seaworthy   Boats,   running  between 

New  Bedford,  Woods  Holl, 

Martha's  Vineyard,         Vineyard  Haven, 
Oak  Bluffs,  Cottage  City, 

Edgartown,  Katama, 

AND  Nantucket. 


LEAVE  BOSTON  from  Old  Colony  De])ots,  corner  South 
and   Kneeland   Streets  and  Pai-k   Square. 

LEAVE    NEW    YORK    by    Fall    River    Line,    Pier    28 
North   River,  foot  of  Muri-ay  Street. 

E.  T.  PIERCE,  Agent. 


LEADING    ENTERPRISES. 


XXXlll 


SAMUEL  C.   HART. 


FRANCIS  T.  AKIN. 


HART  &  AKIN, 

Wholesale   and  Retail   dcalrfs  In  evenj  variety  of 


For  Family  Use  and  Steam  Purposes. 

fiitumhioHS  Cool  for  Sutif/ts'   I'se. 

All  Kinds  of  Wood,  Kindlinor,  and  Charcoal. 

MjPlY   jPlMD   straw 

In  any  quantity,  by  Car  Load,   Ton,  (tr  Hale. 

ALSO   AGENTS  FOR   THK 

Best  FERTir.rZERS  in  tlie  Market. 


House,  Ship,  Sign,  and  Ornamental  Painters, 

AND    r)KAI-Ki;S    IN  /Tj    .....  _3_ 

PAINTS,  OILS,  VARNISHES, 

AND  NAVAL  STORKS. 


The    best    LubricnUnfj  Oils   made   for 
Machivpryj  mul    CiiUnilcrx  n  Si>rrinlli/. 

OFFICES,  168  to  180  South  Water  St.  and  9  North  Water  St.. 

NEW    BEDFORD,    MASS. 


XXXIV  NKW     BEDFORD. 

GjPlS.  ELECTK.ICITlir. 

NEW  BEDFORD  GAS  LIGHT  CO., 

OFFICE,  73  William  Street. 

GAS  WORKS,  WATER  STREET.  ELECTRIC  STATION,  SCHOOL  STREET. 

The  Gas  Co.  is  norf  fuUij  equipppd  to  supply  Ci-as  and  Elcrtriritti  for  crpri/ 

requirement  of 

ILLUMINATION,     HEAT,   AND    POWER 

^ BY -r 


GAS  FIXTURES,         GAS  STOVES, 

ARC  LIGHTS,  INCANDESCENT  LIGHTS, 

ELECTRIC  MOTORS,  GAS  ENGINES. 

Contracts  made  at  the  best  possible  rates.  For  terms  apply  at  the  office. 

CHAS.  S.  PAISLER, 

leO   ISToxtH  \x7at<sr   Stzrcs^t,    ISTts^x/    Bedford.. 

WHOLESALE  AND  RETAIL  DEALER  IN 

Masons'  Building  Materials, 

LIME,  FLAG  STONE, 

BRICK.  PLASTERIFIG-  HAIR, 

GEMEHT,  DRAIN  PIPE, 

ROCKPORT  GRANITE  FOR  CURBING  AND  CELLAR  WALLS. 


lllHSEieiD  AIT  TIIES 

rOE  HEARTHS,         MANTEL  EAOINGS,         FLOORS,         AND  VESTIBULES. 

A  large  assortment  in  various  styles  and  patterns  of 

Flaiiii     ElazEd,    DrnaiiiEntal    and  ReliEf    Ecnds, 


LEADING    ENTERPRISES. 


XXXV 


The  most  comphte  assortment  of  Luhricttiixj  OH  in  \r,r  Kiujlaml,  au,l  all  unods 
warranted  of  Jinest  quality  and  satisfaciori,  to  the  buyer  or  the,,  may  be  returned  at  our 
expense.  We  send  out  no  drummers  and  buyers  ordering  direct  from  our  factt.ry  are 
sure  of  saving  the  Jive  to  ten  per  cent,  drummers'  couimis.>iions. 


Our  specialtli't*  In  iiclilition  ii>  tliu  Watch,  clock,  ami  Skwimj  Maciiink  oii.n,  ah-  Mi.kai  iiki> 
AND  Vat  WiNTF.n  spkrm,        \\.\  Valvk  M<;iit  Coi.oKKn  CruNDRK  <»n.,       Hauk  <  vi.imikk 

OIL,       EXTKA  KN(;IXK.  OIL,       STANKARll  OK  KXCKLLKNCK  l>V  N  AMO  «  »IL,       NKW   IIKIiKOKK  SriNULK 

Oil,      Heavy  Maciiinkky  Oil,     eucli  uiIu|)U:iI  to  the  iiurpo.HOH  nanu'd.     Wi>  nollclt  a  trial  onlcr. 


XXXVl 


NEW    BEDFORD. 


LEADING    ENTERPRISES. 


xxxvu 


THOiS  J.  GIFFORO  k  CO., 

Plumbing,  Steam  and  Gas  Fitting. 

Proprietors  ^  JVEanuf acturers 
of  Parle's  gteam  jieater. 


FACTORY, 

367  AcnsW  Ave.,  New  Bedford,  Mass. 


NEW   AND   SECOND    HAND  M  A C,  11 1 N  E P(,Y. 

AUTOMATIC  '  r\  "^ct 

f^E-STAP^TINC  INJECTORS.  ^O^ 


aIewJedford.Mass. 


F.  W^  FRANCIS, 


MANUFACTURER     OF 


FINE    CIGARS 


New  bedforo,  Masis. 


Factok\',  23  Commercial  Street. 


Offu'E  and  Kktail  stuuk,  Us  IMon  street. 


XXXVm  NEW  BEDFORD. 


Established  184S.  Capital,  $3,000,000. 

WAMSUTTA    MILLS, 

NEW  BEDFORD,  MASS. 
FINE 

Cotton  Goods  and  Yarns 

BLEACHED   AND    BROWN 

Fine  Shirtings,    Cambric  Muslins, 

Lawns,   Momie  Cloths,    Sateens, 

Checks,   Cretonnes,   &c,  &c. 

Plain,  Twilled,  and  Double  Warp  Sheetings, 

FINE   AND    HEAVY, 

IN   ALL     WIDTHS    TO    124    INCHES. 

COTTON    YARNS, 

ALL    NUMBERS. 

COMBED,  CARDED, 

SIHGLE  AHD  TWISTED,      BEAM.      COP, 

CHAIH,       SKEIHS,  AHD  SPOOLS. 


ANDREW  G.   PIERCE,   President  and  Treasurer. 
WILLIAM  J.   KENT,  Agent. 


DIRECTORS, 

WILLIAM  W.  CKAPO,         HORATIO  HATHAWAY,     FRANCIS  HATHAWAY, 
WILLIAM  J.  ROTCH,  EDWARD  D.  MANDELL,    FRANCIS  B.  GREENE, 

ANDREW  G.  PIERCE. 


SELLING  AGENTS, 


LEWIS  BROS.  &  CO.,  New  York,  Philadelphia,   Baltimore. 
FRANCIS  A.  FOSTER,  Boston. 


LEADING    ENTERPRISES. 


ALBERT  W.  HOLMES, 

SUCCESSOR  TO  JOSIAH  HOLMES,  JR. 

Wholesale  and  Retail  Dealer  in  all  Kinds  of 

COAL 


For  Domestic,  Steam,  Manufacturing,  and  Smiths'  Uses. 
ALSO 


Hay    &    Straw. 


OKKICE   AND  YARD, 

Atlantic  Wliarf,  foot  of  Cannon  Street, 
NEW  BEDFORD,  MASS. 

Telephone  56-S  Orders  respectfulfu  soliritrd. 


NEW    BEDFORD. 


ii'.  IRIGGS, 

Contractor    St    BtAilder. 

54    DARTMOUTH    STREET. 

Residence,  comer  Dartmouth  and   Pair  Streets. 

Plans    and     Estimates   furnished  for    any    class    of    ivork. 


CHARLES  F.  FOLGER, 


MANUFACTURER  OF 


Bracl^ets,  Cabinets,  Easels,  and  Screens, 

WOOD  MANTELS  AND  SIDE  BOARDS  MADE  TO  OEDER, 
Also  bank  counter?   and  general  inside  finishings  for  stores  and  halls. 

Wood  turning  and  jig  sawing. 

Factory,  133,  135,  137  South  Water  Street,  New  Bedford,  Mass. 
Salesroom,  264-  Canal  Street,  New  York. 

J.  P.  HOWATT,  General  Agent. 

HIRAM    VAN    CAMPEN, 
General  Fire  and  Accident  Insurance  Agent, 

Okkice,  No.  15  North  Water  Street. 
NEW  BEDFORD,  MASS. 

AGENCY    ESTABLISH  E:d,    A.   D.   1852. 
Superior  facilities  are  possessed  for  effecting  insurance  against  loss  by  fire  in  some  of  the  best 

Stock,  or  Dividend-Paying  Mutual  Companies, 

on   terms   as   favorable  as  can  be  obtained  elsewhere.    All  business  faithfully  and  intelligently 
done,  and  losses  promptly  settled. 

KDMUND    GRINNELL, 

PROPRIETOR    OF 

NEW  BEDFORD  IRON  FOUNDRY, 

90  and  92  South  Water  Street,  New  Bedford,  Mass. 

Manufacturer  and  dealer  in  every  description  of 

Light  and   Heavy  Building  and   Machinery  Castings,         Try  Pots,         Ship's 

Cabooses,  and  General  Foundry  Work. 

A  Large  Pattern  and  Machine  Shop  Connected  with  the  Foundry. 
Estimates  given  on  application  for  the  cost  of  Wrought  and  Cast  Iron  Work,  for  Fronts,  Bridges,  &c. 


LEADING    ENTERPRISES.  xli 


POTOMSKA  MILLS, 

OFFICE  AT  MILL,  WATER  ST.,  NEW  BEDFORD,  MASS. 


Incorporated  1871. 


Capital,   $1, 200,000, 


MANUFACTURE 


FINE  COTTON  GOODS, 

FANCY,  PLAIN,  TWILLS, 

SATEENS,  PRINT  CLOTHS,  AND  SPECIALTIES. 


Males  and  Females  Employed,  1350. 

Spindles,  108,000. 

Looms,  2734. 


ANDREW  G.  PIERCE,  Presipknt. 
M.  U.   ADAMS,   Agent  and  Tin: .\srui-u, 
S.   E.   BENTLEY,  Suim;kinti;m>im. 
WILLIAM  O.   DEVOLL,   Pavmastku. 


idif5.h:cxo]rs. 

HORATIO  HATHAWAY,  WILLIAM  W.   CRAIH), 

ANDREW  G.   PIERCE,  WILLIAM   WA'IKIXS. 

WILLIAM  J.   ROTCH,  FRANCIS    MA'IMIAW  AN 

EDWARD   KILBURN. 


F.  A.  SUWlE'S  RESIUENCE  AND   FACTORY. 


LEADING    ENTERPRISES.  xHii 


Builders'  Headquarters. 

Established  1873. 
Burned  out  and  re-built  of  brick  1884. 


F.   A.    SOW  LB, 


PROPRIETOR 


gteam  Wood  V/orl^iiig  pactory, 

CORNER  ELM  AND  BETHEL  STREETS, 

NEW  BEDFORD,  MASS. 

OFFICE  AND    SALESROOM,   COR.  ELM  AND    NORTH    WATER    STREETS. 

MANUFACTURER  AND    DEALER    IN 

Doors,  Blinds,  Sashes,  Window  and  Door  Frames, 

Mouldings,  Brackets,    Stair    Rails, 

Newel  Posts,  Balusters,  &c. 

Special  attention  given  to  getting  out  inside  and  outside  House  Finish. 
We  also  luake  a  specialty,  in  their  season,  of  window  screens,  screen  doors,  and 
storm  sashes. 

Turning  and  Scroll  Sawing  done  in  a  First-class  Manner. 

We  carry  at  all  times  a  large  stodc  of  pine,  asli,  black  walnut,  whitewood,  and 
other  kinds  of  hard  woods,  which  wc  oiler  at  a  small  advance  above  cost. 

WINDOW    GLASS. 

We  are  the  larfjf^st  dealer  in  window  icla^>  i"  fbi<  part  nl  tin'  statr.  als..  jiavc  in 
stock  cathedral,  ground,  and  tii;un'(l  ^'lass.  and  can  turni^h  anylhinj:  in  the  ;jla>s 
line. 

PLATE    GLASS. 

Special  attention  given  to  furnishiiif?  pialc  l.-r  >loic  fronts  ami  oilnr  purposes. 
Estimates  givew- 

Our  many  years'  experience  enables  us  to  coniprcluMul  and 
anticipate  the  wants  of  the  trade  and  we  intend  that  our  prices  shall 
be  as  low  as  the   lowest  consistent  wilii  oood   ipiality    and    workman- 

BUILDERS'    HEADQUARTERS, 

K.  A.  SOVVUli,   I'l  . '1"  iotor. 


xliv 


NEW  BEDFORD. 


ALSO    PROPRIETOR    OR 


TME    SIFi=>ICjPi.N, 


u 

0 
+j 

(D 

a 

0 


a. 


O 


IXLsLiion,  ]VEa.ss. 


open  from  June  1st  to  October  1st. 


LEADING    ENTERPRISES.  xlv 


CLARENCE   LOWELL, 


MANUFACTURER  OF 


Fine  Carriages, 

274  TO  278  ACUSHNET  AYE.. 

NEW  BEDFORD,  MASS. 

jPs^ll  Tx7oxli  Stjciotly  First-Cla-ss. 

F±in<z.  K.e:pa-iring  a.  Spe:c:ia.lty. 


CHARLES  0.  BRIGHTMAN, 

Contraetor    5^    BuLilder, 

OFFICE,  82  MILL  STRFJF T. 

Shops,    Rear    No.    189   North    Water   Street. 
NEW  BEDFORD,  MASS. 

Plans  and  Estimates  Furnished  at  Short  Notice. 


Wamsutta  Block,  Purchase  street;  Haskell  &  Triiip's  block  ()f  stores;  .Xdelphi 
Rink,  County  street;  Howlniid  Mill  carpentry  work;  House  of  Correction,  Union, 
Court,  and  Ash  streets;  Kesidcnces  of.Cliarles  M.  'rrijij",  Clarence  A.  Cook,  Churles 
S.  Kelley,  Eduiuud  B.  Wood,  and  others  in  New  B<'dfonl;  the  V.  S.  Fish  Commission 
buildings  at  Woods  Roll,  Mass.;  and  (Jlobc  Yarn  Mill  No.  .<  in  Fall  Hiver.  Mass..  an- 
specimens  of  my  workmanship.  CarixMiti-ring  in  all  its  liranches  a  s|»ecialty.  None 
but  competent  and  faithful  wt)rkmen  in  my  omplcy. 


xlvi  NEW    BEDFORD. 


KING  CDANUFACTURING  COCDPANY 

NEW   BEDFORD,  MASSACHUSETTS, 

MANUFACTURERS  OF 

Mouldings,    Fancy   Cabinet  Work,  Frames, 

Easels,  Mats,  Art  Novelties,  Photographs,  Artotypes,  Wall  Pockets, 

Towel  Racks,  Hat  Racks,  Toilet  Mirrors,  Fire  Screens,  Book  Shelves,  &c. 

PASTELS  ON  PORCELAIN  A  SPECIALTY. 

BABBITT,  WOOD  &  CO., 

Boiler  Makers  and  Steam  Fitters, 

Engineers'  Supplies.     Bolts,  Nuts,  and  Washers. 
Seeond-Hand  Machinery  and  lioilers  for  sale.         Repairing  promptly  attended  to. 
Office,  32  Commercial  Street,  New  Bedford,  Mass. 
Proprietors  Daisy  Steam  Heating  Apparatus.     Agents  for  the  Richmond's  Victor 
Steam  Heater  and  the  Spence  Hot  Water  Heater. 

TELEPHONE  206-13. 

il[[e  Peirce  ^  Busliriell  JVIanufacturing  Zo., 

NEW     BEDFORD,    IVIASS., 

ART    PUBLISHERS    AND    MANUFACTURERS    OF 

Hand  Carved,  Ornamented,  Shaded  &  Plain  Oak,  Gold  &  White, 
Silver,  Bronze,  and  Old  Ivory  Finished  Mouldings. 

NOVELTY  AND  CABINET  PfiAMES  OP  UNIQUE  AND  ORIGINAL  DESIGNS. 

Mezzotypes  and  Photographs  of   the  Latest  and  most  Popular  Pictures. 
Brackets,  Cabinets,  Easels,  Wall  Pockets,  Etc. 

Panels,  Mats,  Art  Novelties,  Folders,  Cards,  Etc.,  Etc. 


F.   A.   F.  ADAMS, 

Real  Estate  Agent,  48  North  Water  St. 

Refers  by  pernaission  to  -los.  Arthur  Beauvais,  Esq.,  President  Citizens  National  Bank, 
Hon.  .Jonatlian  Fiourne,  President  Merchants  National  Bank,  Charles  E.  Hendrickson,  President 
New  Bedford  Safe  Deposit  and  Trust  Co.,  Walter  CUfford,  Esq.,  Mayor  of  City. 

Enjoying  exceptlon.al  advantages  in  the  way  of  buying  and  selling  real  estate, 
especially  sea  shore  residences  and  farms,  I  solicit  correspondence,  which  will  be 
promptly  attended  to.  I  will  be  happy  to  send  catalogues  with  photographs 
of  many  elegant  estates.  All  questions  in  regard  to  real  estate  in  and  around  New 
Bedford  cheerfully  answered. 


LEADING    ENTERPRISES. 


xlvii 


ESTABLISHED  1882. 


INCORPORATED  1S87. 


WdEDEM  ilANUF/lCTURING  (Eo.. 

CHARLES  E.  BARNEY,  TREASURER. 

Largest  -t-  JVIanufacturers  -t-  of  -t-  gteam  -t-  I'oys  •^  in  -j-  ^nierica. 


ORIGINAL  MECHANICAL  TOYS  AND  NOVELTIES  IN  METAL. 
Office  and  Factory,  No.  148  North  Water  Street,         -       New  Bedford,  Mass. 

AMERICAN  TACK  CO., 


MANUFACTURERS  OF   EVERY   VARIETY   OF 


TACKS,    LINING    AND    SMALL    NAILS 


J 

UPHOLSTERY  &  GIMP  TACKS, 

SHOE  &.   LACE  TACKS, 

BLUED  &L  TINNED  CARPET  TACKS, 

LEATHERED  &  COPPERED  CARPET  TACKS, 

OVAL   HEAD  TINNED  TACKS, 

BRASS  &  STEEL  WIRE  NAILS, 

Lining  Tacks,  Saddle  Nails, 

FACTOKY  AT 

FAIRHAVEN,  MASS. 

C.    O.    HUNT.  AQENT. 


BLACK  k  TINNED  TRUNK   NAILS, 
CLOUT,    FINISHING    i   CIGAR  BOX  NAILS, 
COMMON  &  PATENT  BRADS, 
WIRE  FINISHING   NAILS, 
COMMON  &  SWEDES  SHOE  NAILS, 
MOULDING  &  ESCUTCHEON   PINS, 

Tufting  Buttons  and  Nails. 

Ni;\V   YiiRK   •-AI.KSlMd'M. 

116  CHAMBERS  STREET. 

J.    A.    BEAUVAIS,    TRcAS 


@ 


ALL    KINDS   OF 


NO.  I    Wl  LLI  AM  ST. 

COR.  OF  WATER  ST. 

MASS.  ^ 


A  duplicate  of  this  book  can  be  procured 
by  sending  $1  to  the  Secretary  of  the  New 
Bedford  Board  of  Trade. 


THE  LIBRARY 
UNIVERSITY  OF  CALIFORNIA 

Santa  Barbara 


THIS  BOOK  IS  DUE  ON  THE  LAST  DATE 
STAMPED  BELOW. 


■4   1r 


'BCsjaaj 


IN/TERLIBRARY  LOAN 
UNIVj[R^lt/(f)F/CALIFOR 
SANtU^aKbW%,  CA  931106 


RET^DFEB23  iS2:5') 


Series  9482 


3  1205  00145  4741 


alilliiliii 


